Thundering Blue and Capri out of luck in Japan Cup

Thundering Blue flew the flag for Britain in the Japan Cup but was unable to make an impact. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Thundering Blue and Capri were unable to make an impact in the Japan Cup in Tokyo on Sunday.

Globetrotting ThunderingBlue, whose exploits this season included finishing third to Roaring Lion in the Juddmonte International York, finished tenth.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Capri, the 2017 St Leger winner and fourth in last month’s QIPCO Champion Staked, was eleventh.

The race was won in a record time by Japanese star Almond Eye. It was the 13th successive year the Japan Cup had been won by a home contender.

David Menuisier, trainer of Thundering Blue,  was undeterred in defeat, and still full of admiration for Thundering Blue – who has risen from the handicapping ranks to win twice in group company this year.

“Very proud of ThunderingBlue in the Japan Cup today at Tokyo racecourse,” he wrote on Twitter. “Ground was far too quick to his liking, worked well on it 2 days ago but dried out dramatically since. Despite, was trying his best to the line.”