It used to be called the Japan Cup Dirt and is the Grade 1 main dirt race.

Several of us English speakers had suggested to the JRA that Japan Cup Dirt was the choicest of titles so they have gone for the alliterative Champions Cup at Chukyo.

It one of the only two Grade 1s on the JRA Calendar, the other being the February Stakes which gives horses a chance to build up for the dirt races in the Middle East.

We love Wilson Tesoro whom we last saw in Riyadh coming fourth in that memorable Saudi Cup which was won by compatriot Forever Young.  He's been second in this race the last two years so maybe this time?  Definitely e/w value on 7.0. 

Favourite is the young kid on the block – the 3yo colt Nanukami owned and bred by Godolphin who has won his last four races and will have Tosaki in the irons.  He's on 2.6.

However the 4yo filly W Hearts Bond has won six of her seven starts including a record-breaking 1800m race at Kyoto last outing so she could be the one to look out for.  She's on 6.0 and jockey Sakai was on the winner the last two years.

And then there's Sixpence, who moved to the dirt after a successful start on turf and has continued to do well on this surface including beating Wilson Tesoro.  Lemaire rides and they are on 8.2.