Key questions as Japan bids to build on Derby third in King Edward VII Stakes

King Edward VII Stakes (Group 2) | 1m4f | 3yo | colts and geldings | ITV/Sky

Can O'Brien repeat Derby formula?

Aidan O'Brien will adopt a tried and tested approach with Derby third Japan as Classic runners have an excellent record in this race, accounting for two of the last three winners.

The method paid dividends earlier this week when Circus Maximus, sixth at Epsom, landed the St James's Palace Stakes and O'Brien is hoping for a repeat dose with Japan.

Only beaten half a length by the winner Anthony Van Dyck, the son of Galileo reopposes two of his Epsom rivals as he bids to give O'Brien just his second winner in the race.

"We were obviously delighted with Japan in the Derby," the trainer said. "He hasn't done a lot since Epsom but we've been happy with everything he has done."

O'Brien will also be represented by the well-bred Jack Yeats, who is unexposed and steps up in trip on just his fourth start after winning a maiden at Naas in April.

"He's a horse we've always thought would appreciate a mile and a half and he won nicely last time. He's progressing well," the trainer added.

Will Private Secretary land the four-timer?

Private Secretary has not put a foot wrong for trainer John Gosden this year and took a big step forward when completing his hat-trick with a narrow Listed victory at Goodwood last month.

Owned by Denford Stud, whose Coronet won the 2017 Ribblesdale Stakes, the three-year-old has started favourite on all five starts and never finished outside the top two.

With consistency comes expectation but there are concerns over the ground and it is a fact-finding mission with Private Secretary, who has never run on soft ground.

Private Secretary: Goodwood winner yet to run on soft groundCredit: Edward Whitaker

"We're not sure about the ground for Private Secretary but this has been the plan since he won at Goodwood so we'll see how he goes," said Gosden, who last won this race with Eagle Top in 2014.

It is a case of chalk and cheese between Private Secretary and the trainer's other runner Humanitarian who, after finishing a creditable seventh in the Derby, will relish ease in the ground.

"Humanitarian will appreciate the rain and ran a nice race in the Derby to be seventh. He's not short on stamina which may help," Gosden added.

Can Bangkok bounce back?

Andrew Balding was left scratching his head after 9-1 shot Bangkok finished down the field in the Derby but the trainer is hopeful the Group 3 winner can bounce back.

"I don't know what went wrong at Epsom," the trainer said. "It was a huge disappointment because he worked so well before. He now has questions to answer but he should have a good chance."

While Bangkok finished 13 lengths behind Anthony Van Dyck at Epsom, his William Haggas-trained rival Pablo Escobarr came closer at Lingfield, finishing two and a quarter lengths behind the Derby winner in a Classic trial last month.

What they say

Michael Bell, trainer of Eagles By Day
We'll be on weather watch as we felt he didn't handle the soft ground at Lingfield in the Derby Trial and it seems a lot of horses by Sea The Stars prefer top of the ground. We think he's better than that run and were disappointed. He travelled well and just couldn't pick up. I'm hopeful of an improved performance if there's no more rain. We're keen to run as long as we get some dry weather.

James Fanshawe, trainer of Pondus
He won his last two starts nicely, including on soft ground at Nottingham. It's quite a big step up in class but he's a progressive three-year-old and he won well at Sandown.

Spotlight verdict

Circus Maximus came out of the Derby to win the St James's Palace here on Tuesday and Japan (nap) will be tough to beat if reproducing the form of his close third at Epsom. The John Gosden-trained Private Secretary has been progressing very nicely and is feared most on the back of his Listed win at Goodwood last month, while Pondus is an intriguing contender, taking a big jump in grade. Bangkok flopped in the Derby but the Group 3 Sandown Classic Trial winner should not be written off today.

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