Blackstairmountain arrives in Japan Willie Mullins' Blackstairmountain has arrived in Japan ahead of his intended run in next month's Nakayama Grand Jump. While Mullins' focus was firmly on events at Cheltenham, his eight year old was en route to Japan and touched down at Narita International Airport east of Tokyo on Wednesday before being transferred to the Shiroi Quarantine Center at the JRA Horseracing School. Groom Diarmuid Keeling said everything was in order and the 8-year-old had traveled well. "It was a long journey but there's nothing special amiss. He looks fine and I'm relieved. "I haven't been given any special instructions from the trainer, but we will be in touch every day and decide things as we go." Keeling did tell japanracing.jp that no hard work was in the books while at the quarantine facilities. "We'll wait until just before the Pegasus Jump Stakes for that." That contest is run over a trip around two miles and a furlong on March 23rd and will be used as a prep before the ultimate target of the two mile five furlong Nakayama Grand Jump on April 13th. The Grand Jump, which takes horses over 12 obstacles, carries a total value in excess of £900,000, with £450,000 going to the winner. The Pegasus Jump Stakes also consists of 11 obstacles and is worth a total in excess of £215,000. It will be the first time since 2010 for a horse from overseas to enter the Pegasus Jump Stakes. In 2010, Pentiffic took part and finished fifth in a field of 13 but didn't then contest the Grand Jump.
