Golan only sixth in Japan

Sagitta 2000 Guineas hero Golan was unable to give Sir Michael Stoute a third success in the Japan Cup in the early hours of this morning.

Bidding to follow up the trainer`s win with Singspiel in 1996 and Pilsudski the following year, Johnny Murtagh`s mount could manage only sixth place behind the Olivier Peslier-ridden Jungle Pocket.

Peslier`s mount, winner of the Japanese Derby, finished with a flourish to get the better of last year`s victor T M Opera O by a neck in a photo-finish.

Narita Top Road was three and a half lengths back in third, completing a one-two-three for the home-based runners.

Golan was settled in midfield early on in the mile-and-a-half contest but lost ground around the third bend before finishing well.

'It was good in the beginning,' said Murtagh. 'I tried to follow T M Opera O but tried to make a move at the time and could not keep up with the pace.'

Stoute said: 'He`s run well but he ran a little bit keenly early on. On the far turn he was alittle far back but he ran on well up the straight.'

An ecstatic Peslier said: 'I`m on top of the world - it is the most marvellous thrill for me to win the Japan Cup because I have ridden in Japan many times and so I`m really delighted.

'Jungle Pocket is the Derby winner and I am really proud of the way he has run today in this field.

'I was bumped a little at the start, and he then raced quite a long way back, but he settled well and I got a good run through.

'He has good speed and fights well. I am happy to win the Japan Cup on a Japanese horse.'

Winning trainer Sakae Watanabe revealed he was delighted to have secured Peslier`s services for his three-year-old.

'I was happy to see a world-class jockey ride this horse,' he said.

'Peslier rides beautifully low in the saddle and in balance. Overall he has a beautiful riding style.'

Germany`s Paolini, a son of 1995 winner Lando, missed the break under Andreas Suborics, and raced towards the rear for most of the race.

His trainer Andreas Wohler said: 'He was running far too free and never settled in the race. He simply wore himself out.'

The Gary Stevens-ridden White Heart, a former inmate of Mark Johnston, finished eighth.

'I got a clear run on the stretch but had no room as it was too crowded. I got a good run a little too late,' said Stevens.