Racing: Reid drawn wide: White Muzzle's rider plans a late swoop, reports Joel Else

TERUYA YOSHIDA, owner of White Muzzle, picked out stall 15 for his British-trained runner in yesterday's draw for tomorrow's Japan Cup, much to the delight of rider John Reid.

'A high draw gives you the chance to come across to the rail and sit behind until the straight, and there are very few hard luck stories in this race,' Reid said. Urban Sea, for France, will be in stall 14, while Italy's Misil is on the wide outside in 16.

Come-from-behind horses have won 10 of the 12 runnings of the Japan Cup (run at 6.20am GMT) and this year the pick of those who will like the ground, officially good to firm yesterday, are the US-trained Breeders' Cup Turf winner Kotashaan, White Muzzle, and the New Zealand-trained The Phantom Chance. Arc winner Urban Sea and Arlington Million scorer Star Of Cozzene would probably appreciate more cut in the ground.

When the Americans have sent a top horse to Japan, they have tended to do well and Kotashaan is probably as good as any before and could sew up US Horse-of-the-Year honours with a win here.