Races ORM Nagoya - JAP

Put together back-to-back thirds at this venue, most recently finishing third behind Pushkar after settling rearward and being beaten three lengths. He had worked home evenly behind Misty Purple the start prior, so the pattern is consistent rather than flashy. Placed twice from three runs with this jockey and suited again at 1500m, he profiles as a solid place chance with a first win still to earn.

Finished second last at this track two weeks ago after settling handy and dropping right away, with Queen Of Heart beating him by a wide margin. His previous sixth behind Wahrsagen was also well held, and the market has shown little confidence at recent outings. A class drop offers some help, but five unplaced runs around 1500m leave him with plenty to find.

Was beaten just over eight lengths when eighth behind Win Prime at this track last start and was weak through the line. That followed a last placing behind Wahrsagen, where she sat close enough but went backwards sharply. Unplaced in all nine starts and yet to place around 1500m, she will have to lift noticeably to trouble the better chances.

Returns from a two-month freshening after a well-beaten 12th in a 3yo Maiden over 1800m at Chukyo Dirt, where Island had him beaten over 18 lengths. His Kokura Dirt ninth before that was no stronger, but he now reaches a more suitable local assignment and is third-up. The first try around 1500m is a question, yet this set-up gives him some minor-place scope.

Returns from a three-month break after ending last campaign with an 11th at Niigata Dirt, where she was in the right spot but dropped out sharply behind Gold Believe. Her Fukushima Dirt ninth before that was also well beaten, and she remains unplaced from eight starts. The leading stable is a positive, but her race form has to improve sharply first-up.

Battled on soundly for fourth at this track last start, beaten seven and a half lengths by Fruits Baby, and that followed a much sharper second when Bay Tree only ran him down late. He has placed at both this distance and this venue, and the fourth-up profile suggests he should be ready to hold that form. In this line-up, his recent substance makes him a serious winning player.

Lifted into third behind Jacky Barows at this track last start, albeit beaten just over eight lengths, and that was a clear rebound from her plain second-last behind Meisho Valkyrja. The weight relief is useful and she has placed twice from six starts around 1500m, including once at this track and distance. With that latest run to build on, she is right in the winning mix.

Returns from a five-week freshening after finishing tenth in a 3yo Maiden at Niigata, beaten just over five lengths by Peaceful Mind in a much bigger field. He was unwanted in betting there, but the margin was sound enough and his Morioka third two runs back adds useful depth. New to 1500m, yet the class drop and fourth-up timing give him the strongest winning case here.

Settled handy but could not offer a challenge when sixth behind Queen Of Heart at this track last start, beaten over 10 lengths at long odds. She had faded late behind Wahrsagen the run prior and has not placed in eleven starts overall. Weight relief is a small help, but her six unplaced runs at this track and distance are hard to overlook.

Back after one month since a second at this venue, where he worked home evenly behind Hosho Ryu and was beaten six lengths. His fourth behind Win Emblem beforehand was similar, showing he is progressing without quite putting a race away. Placed once from two runs at the distance and fourth-up now, he is a realistic minor hope if he keeps improving.

Was beaten over 18 lengths when sixth behind Eternal Vision at this track last start after settling rearward, and his previous last behind Copano Lucas was even more concerning. He has one placing from seven starts overall but is unplaced at both this venue and this distance. The class drop is noted, though his recent form leaves him with a sizeable task.

Produced a better fourth behind Win Prime at this track last start, beaten just under three lengths at big odds after settling rearward. That was a clear improvement on her fifth behind Misty Purple, where she was beaten over 11 lengths and never looked likely. With just two placings from 24 starts, she has minor claims only if that latest run proves repeatable.