Tokyo's a go: Thundering Blue gets the green light for Japan Cup mission

His emergence from the handicap ranks to genuine Group 1 contender has been one of the feel-good stories of the season and now Thundering Blue is being primed by trainer David Menuisier for a crack at one of international racing's toughest missions – the £2 million Japan Cup.

Menuisier and owner Clive Washbourn received an invitation from the Japan Racing Association after Thundering Blue finished third to Roaring Lion and Poet’s Word in the Juddmonte International.

Following his recent runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Pattinson Canadian International, the five-year-old is giving Menuisier all the right signs for a race that last went for export in 2005 when Frankie Dettori galvanised the Luca Cumani-trained Alkaased to victory.

"He has come back from Canada in great form and he didn't have a particularly hard race," said Menuisier. "He seems very well which is why we continue to think of Tokyo, even though he has had a long season."

Thundering Blue began the year on a mark of 93 but has progressed rapidly, winning the Group 2 York Stakes, while trips to Sweden, where he captured the Group 3 Stockholm Cup, and Canada have proved his adaptability when it comes to travel.

"He needed time to strengthen and to grow more mature, and it isn't every year that you are going to have a horse that is invited for a race like this," said Menuisier.

Menuisier was quick to acknowledge the input of jockey Fran Berry, a man with years of Japanese experience.

"I've been thinking about the Japan Cup for a long time and it was at the back of my mind when he won the Group 2 at York," he said. "I felt then that, if he ran well at Group 1 level then it was a race, I would love to run him in.

"Tokyo is often officially described as firm but Fran doesn't feel that it would feel any quicker for Thundering Blue than when he ran [second] in the John Smith's Cup, for example. And with age horses can become more flexible in terms of what they go on."

Foreign entries are due to be announced on November 9 for the Grade 1 Japan Cup, which will be run on Sunday, November 25.

Read exclusive daily previews from 6pm at racingpost.com/news