Japanese raider hopes to boss Frankel at Ascot while Rumh on is top at Newbury

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," said Tanaka.

"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.

"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 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.

The Richard Hannon-trained Dubawi Gold chased home Frankel in the Guineas at Newmarket and also filled the runner-up spot in the Irish equivalent.

Hannon's son and assistant, Richard jnr, could not be happier with the colt's current condition and is looking forward to Tuesday's enthralling contest. "He's absolutely flying and he's done very well," said Hannon jnr.

"He didn't actually have as hard a race in Ireland as he did in Newmarket, so he'll go there fresher and better hopefully.

"I think there is a horse in there that will take a lot of beating, even for Frankel, and that is Excelebration. I saw him win in Germany and he looks top-class. I know he was beaten four lengths by Frankel at Newbury, but he looks a hell of a horse.

"Andrew Tinkler (Dubawi Gold's owner] is very keen to have a go at Frankel and so he should be."

Meanwhile, Canford Cliffs remains firmly on course for Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes after coming through a racecourse gallop at Kempton with flying colours. Hannon's Lockinge winner is set for a mouthwatering clash with brilliant French mare Goldikova in the Ascot curtain-raiser and connections are confident. Hannon jnr said: "We were very, very pleased with him and we're going flat out for Goldikova now. You can see he has improved physically - people who see him in the paddock will see that for themselves."Meanwhile Rumh is set to replace stablemate Khawlah in next week's Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot following a six-length win in the Lord Weinstock Memorial Stakes at Newbury yesterday.

Godolphin's filly boasted tremendous form, having finished third in a similar event at the course behind Izzi Top and Dancing Rain, the respective third and first in the Investec Oaks.

The 5-2 favourite made all the running under Frankie Dettori, with trainer Saeed Bin Suroor reporting: "The form was good and she had improved from the run. We will enter her tomorrow in the Ribblesdale. We have Khawlah in the race. She worked this morning but I wasn't really happy with her. She might need more time."

Henry Candy's Gosbeck turned over 4-11 favourite Floral Beauty in division one of the maiden fillies' stakes. Floral Beauty had every chance in front but Gosbeck (12-1) came a ready length past her.