This G1 Classic (the Japanese St Leger) will be run at Kyoto on Sunday 26th over 3000m.

It's the third leg of the triple crown but has neither of the winners from the previous legs involved so just as with the fillies there will be no triple crown this year.

Nevertheless the race promises much interest with several prominent 3yos heading the market.  Favourite at the moment is Energico, a Duramente colt and the mount of Christophe Lemaire, who is on 3.9.   Eri King had promised much in his early career but the son of Kizuna suffered a fracture – fortunately curable – and spent some time of the track but is now back and connections are very enthusiastic about his prospects.  He will be ridden by Kawada and is currently on 5.8.  Shohei was an early favourite here but has eased back to 5.9.  He was third in the Yushun and the only runner to have featured in the first two crown legs and M Iwata will ride the Saturnalia product.  However we have a soft spot for Giovanni – he's been progressing towards this and while he has been beaten by a couple of these in the past he's due to make the great leap forward. K Matsuyama rides the son of Epiphaneia and they are on 10.9.

It's been announced that two Argentinian horses who are running at the Breeders' Cup next weekend have been invited to Japan to run in the December Cup on 7 December.