Masterpiece set for Japan challenge

Court Masterpiece will have a new rider in Sunday’s inaugural Hanshin Cup in Japan, with Olivier Peslier set to take over the reins on Ed Dunlop’s six-year-old.

The stylish French jockey regularly spends the winter in Japan, where he is hugely popular.

Court Masterpiece has remained in Japan since his close seventh in the Mile Championship at Kyoto last month and another prominent showing is expected.

Dunlop’s racing secretary Peter Shoemark said: “It is a Grade Two race but it’s very valuable and we believe there are 18 runners in the race.

“Olivier Peslier is going to ride him, as he is based over there and has ridden around Hanshin. It’s the first time he has ridden him in a race, but he actually rode a piece of work on him last Tuesday.

“Everything has been fine. He’s been there five weeks now and has settled in well. Court Masterpiece has a lead horse and three members of our staff to keep him company and had a slight excuse about the ground last time.

“They had a drop of rain just before the race, so it was a respectable effort. The first and second that day (Daiwa Major and Dance In the Mood) aren’t running, but I believe the third, fourth and fifth (Symboli Gran, Meiner Scherzi and Kinshasa No Kiseki) are, so we shall see.

“But returning to seven furlongs, over which he won the Prix de la Foret last year, should suit and they say the track is great.”