Racing: Muzzle is primed by early arrival

WHITE MUZZLE, the only British challenger for Sunday's Japan Cup, has thrived since arriving in Tokyo 11 days ago, Peter Chapple-Hyam, his trainer, said yesterday.

White Muzzle has had more time to recover from his 26- hour journey than Chapple- Hyam's representative in last year's race, Dr Devious, who finished 10th. He worked well for John Reid yesterday, covering seven furlongs in 49.2sec, the fastest time of the day. Reid will keep the ride in the big race.

'Everything is going according to plan, that was just what I wanted,' Chapple-Hyam said.

White Muzzle was cut to 3-1 second favourite (from 9-2) for Saturday's race by William Hill. US-trained Kotashaan, the impressive Breeders' Cup Turf winner, is their favourite at 11-4.