All the European connections put their finishing touches yesterday to their preparations for tomorrow's Group One Japan Cup at Tokyo racecourse. Pilsudski, Caitano, Astarabad and Mons all worked on the main track, while Oscar Schindler did a reasonably fast piece of work on the dirt track, which had a lot of moisture in it following overnight rain.

All connections were pleased with their horses and all look ready to do battle.

The five European runners will face eight Japanese horses and one Australian challenger when they line-up at 6.20a.m. (Irish time). The best Japanese runner looks to be the three-year-old filly Air Groove.

European connections are all hopeful of big runs from their respective charges, in particular Andreas Schutz, trainer of Caitano.