3.00 PRINCE OF WALES’S STKS A YEN FOR JAPAN

Ireland, running away with the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes from Bangkok here last June before a half-length call in the top-level Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp the following month.

Ryan Moore’s mount stepped back to today’s 10-furlong trip to edge out favourite Crystal Ocean in the Group 1 Juddmonte International at York, and wasn’t discredited when fourth to Waldgeist in the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on his final start.

Japan is expected to make a winning return, with and the most convincing candidates for the minor medals.

(6) 212-11 (67) (CD) (F)