Connections of Grand Prix Boss are excited about the Japanese star testing his powers against Frankel in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
The Yoshito Yahagi-trained colt has impressed in his homeland, but racing manager Keita Tanaka acknowledges he faces his stiffest task to date as he opposes Henry Cecil’s incredible 2000 Guineas hero.
“Every horse has a chance and we’ve brought the best three-year-old miler in Japan, which is equivalent to Frankel, so it’s very exciting,” Tanaka told Sky Sports News.
“He loves the environment here in Newmarket. He is doing very well and is relaxed. Everything is going to plan.
“It’s very prestigious and not many owners have the chance to have a runner at Royal Ascot. We can be very proud.
“He’s a flexible horse, so he can do any type of race. I don’t think he will come from far behind but he can go from the front, from a good position, a middle position or whatever.
“Frankel is very famous among the Japanese racing fans and we don’t have many chances to run against those kind of great horses. The Japanese racing fans are expecting us to be as competitive as possible.
“If we thought Frankel was unbeatable, we wouldn’t have come here.”
Grand Prix Boss was cut by Stan James to 12-1 from 16s for the St James’s Palace Stakes.
PA AAP TURF