JAPAN continues to figure in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes picture as Aidan O’Brien considers running plans for the Leopardstown showpiece on September 14th.

The Galileo colt finished fourth in the Dante Stakes on what was a delayed seasonal reappearance in May, and has gone from strength to strength since York, taking third in the Derby at Epsom, before going on to score at Royal Ascot and ParisLongchamp.