3 minute read

The trainer of the only foreign entry in the Japan Cup, Andrea Marcialis, has been suspended for 6 months.

This should not affect the ability of Way To Paris to run in the Cup as it applies only to France at this stage, but it must be unsettling for his staff with the horse in Japan.

Marcialis and his sister Elisabetta have been involved with the 88yo trainer Jean-Paul Napoli in a scheme called in France "Prêt-nom" which basically means covering up the true ownership of a horse.  Elisabetta Marcialis has been banned from running a horse she owns for 18 months and Napoli need the special authority of France Galop to resume training.  The French authorities have asked that these bans should apply in Italy as well.

In the Japan Cup itself all is well.  The UK bookies have Contrail on top just ahead of Almond Eye and the filly Daring Tact on third place odds.

In Japan the latest prices are Almond Eye 2.4, Contrail 3.0, Daring Tact 3.4, Glory Vase 16.9 and Curren Boutiqued'or 21.1.