ONESTO FANCIED FOR JAPAN CUP

ONESTO spearheads the European challenge for the Japan Cup as the

Prix de l’arc de Triomphe also-ran seeks to loosen the home stranglehold on the ¥4m winner’s prize.

Since the Luca Cumani-saddled

Alkaased won under Frankie Dettori in 2005, the mile-and-a-half test has stayed in Japan.

Market leaders Shahryar and Danon Beluga bid to extend the sequence at Tokyo tomorrow, but Onesto’s trainer Fabrice Chappet is confident conditions will suit his 6-1 shot, ridden by Japan-based compatriot Christophe Lemaire (above).

“We will see him on ground he appreciates,” said Chappet, whose colt sank in the mud when 10th to Alpinista.

The 18 runners also include France’s Grand Glory and Simca Mille and Tunnes for Germany.