Japan has another great Arc hope in its bid for the holy grail - and this one truly breaks the mould

Great fanfare tends to accompany Japan’s efforts to appropriate the holy grail by winning the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, so it is a little ironic that an unfulfilled quest may be brought to fruition by a horse who has flown well under the radar.

There was no mistaking the promise of Shin Emperor’s third place in the Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday. He finished fastest of all, having been denied a clear run for most of Leopardstown’s short straight, but it may transpire his luckless passage will prove a blessing in disguise.

The chestnut hardly had a race on his first outing since May. He was spared the rigours of a driving finish, which would have been inevitable had he been able to launch a challenge, and he should therefore arrive at Longchamp on October 6 in mint condition.