Trading Leather, Irish hope in Japan Cup, faces a difficult draw

Ante-post favourite Gentildonna going for third win in a row in the race

Trading Leather, trained by Jim Bolger (above) did not get the hoped for good draw, and starts from stall 18 in Sunday’s Japan Cup. Photograph: Lorraine O’Sullivan/Inpho

Sat Nov 29 2014 - 01:00

Trading Leather will have to overcome international opposition – and being drawn widest of the 18-runner field – if he is to secure victory in the Japan Cup on Sunday morning, when there is almost €1.8 million to the winner.

Jim Bolger's 2013 Curragh Derby hero will again be ridden by Kevin Manning as he bids to become just the second Irish-trained winner of Japan's most prestigious race, 31 years after the Frank Dunne owned and trained Stanerra scored in Tokyo.

Manning’s hopes of a good draw disappeared with Trading Leather starting from stall 18, far removed from the ante-post favourite Gentildonna, who will attempt a third win in a row in the race from stall three.

Ryan Moore will be on board Gentildonna, joined in the race by other local superstars, Just A Way and Harp Star; Germany's Ivanhowe and Canada's horse-of the-year, Up With The Birds.