3 minute read

The Japan Cup is the feature of the racing weekend around the world and star filly Almond Eye is the Racing and Sports selection in the great race.

Almond Eye has rated through the roof in her three-year-old year with both her Guineas and Oaks successes coming in way above average by Racing and Sports' measure.

Her campaign also appeals as being ideal - winning her prep without matching her prior peak. There should be plenty left in the tank for her big target at Tokyo.

The market zones in on her of course, and there are no prizes for tipping her on top, but the betting away from her is certainly interesting.

Suave Richard, Satono Diamond and last year's winner Cheval Grand are among the key dangers in the betting.

Satono Diamond showed some signs of life winning the key lead up at Kyoto with Cheval Grand in behind. That wasn't a high-pressure race, though, and more will be required of him here. Of course both are capable of better, particularly Satono Diamond who was a superstar in 2017, but he has looked short of his best since travelling to France for the Arc last year and his best is what is needed now.

Suave Richard comes through the hottest lead up - a fast and high-rating Tenno Sho won by Rey De Oro, but he was a long way from them there.

From that race Kiseki is the one that appeals most. Last year's Leger winner posted a career best in defeat there and two runs for this yard look to have him ready to deliver on last year's promise.

At double-figure odds he looks a good gamble away from the favourite.

Of the two that travel, Thundering Blue and Capri, the latter makes the most appeal.

He was the Leger winner in the UK last season and that was a strong race. He hasn't quite hit that peak after missing the middle part of 2018 but his Arc run was good and would give him some sort of hope here.

Suggested Bets: Almond Eye and Kiseki.