Best performance of the day goes to Japan for King Edward VII romp

There may have been two Group 1 races on the card, but the best performance at Royal Ascot on Friday came from Japan after a powerful performance to win the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes yielded an improved Racing Post Rating of 120.

Though somewhat mitigated by the good pace set by stablemate Jack Yeats, the Derby third was forced wide turning in but came home in great style and joins Epsom winner and stablemate Anthony Van Dyck as the season's leading middle-distance three-year-old. Given his progressive profile it is not hard to envisage him rating the better of the pair in time.

Bangkok (112) put his Derby disappointment behind him with an improved run, while third placed Eagles By Day (111) took an even bigger jump. With their figures fitting the expected standard the form looks sound, and Japan is in good company with Nathaniel and Eagle Top as the best winners of the King Edward VII this century.