Has been safely held at recent starts, finishing ninth at Kawasaki last time when beaten over 10 lengths after never making headway. The run prior at this track was another ninth in 3yo+ B2B3 grade and the market gave him little hope. He has one win from many attempts around 1800m but is unplaced in seven starts at this track and distance, so a sharp lift is required.

Returns on a quick back-up after finishing sixth at Urawa in 3yo+ B2B3 company, where he was near the top of an open market but never made ground. His rider reunites with an excellent three wins and two placings from seven rides, and the class drop is meaningful in this line-up. The 1800m record is the query, but his broader profile and set-up make him the runner to beat.

Returns from a five-week let-up after running fifth at this track over 1600m, beaten just under four lengths when unwanted in the market and working home fairly from well back. She was also held in sixth here two back in 3yo+ B2B3 grade. A previous win at this track and distance is useful, but her past 12-month record says she has to find more.

Returns from a five-week let-up third-up after two heavy defeats over 2400m, most recently ninth at Sapporo Dirt when well beaten by 24 lengths and unwanted in the market. The drop in class, weight relief and return to a winning distance all help, and he has one win and one placing from five tries at 1800m. Even so, his recent figures point more to a place hope than a win play.

Finished eighth at Urawa 10 days ago, beaten just under eight lengths at big odds after getting too far back and never threatening. Two back he was closer in the run at Kawasaki but only battled into fifth, beaten nine lengths. He has prior 1800m form in the book, yet five unplaced tries at this track and distance leave others with stronger claims.

Returns from a five-week let-up in strong form after going down by a nose at this track over 1600m, finishing off strongly behind Irie's Pachira. He had also run second here the start prior as a prohibitive odds-on favourite, so the consistency is clear even if the wins have not come lately. He has placed at 1800m and owns a sound record with Akira Harita, making him a major winning chance.

Worked home fairly for sixth at Kawasaki last start, beaten six lengths behind Oken Duke, but he was never a winning hope. That followed a tenth at this venue in 3yo+ B2B3 grade when unwanted in the market. His three wins at this track and distance are a genuine positive, though current form says he must improve sharply to threaten.

Returns from a five-week let-up after finishing eighth at this track over 1600m, beaten just over six lengths after conceding a big start. His previous third here in 3yo+ C1 grade came when near the top of betting, although he was still beaten seven lengths. Four wins at this venue keep him in the mix, but the step back to 1800m leaves him looking more a place chance.

Returns from a five-week let-up after an 11th at this track over 2200m, where he was beaten nine and a half lengths and made no impression from back in the field. His prior fourth here was more encouraging, and two wins from ten starts gives him upside for a three-year-old. The 1800m record is still unconvincing, so he shapes as a minor hope if he rebounds.

Returns from a five-week let-up after closing strongly into fourth at this track over 2200m, beaten just under five lengths by Lilabad when unwanted in the market. He had been second here at long odds before that, so the recent efforts are respectable. The problem is the win record: one victory from 46 starts and no wins at this track and distance make him hard to trust.

Returns from a five-week let-up after finishing fifth at this track in 3yo+ C1 company, beaten five lengths as a well-supported favourite but still picking up nicely late. Her previous second here behind Asama was solid, and the stronger guide is her one win and one placing from three starts at this track and distance. With Aoi Shinoya back aboard, she has a proper winning case.

Worked home evenly for second at Kawasaki over 1600m last start, beaten four lengths after sitting near the top of an open market. His earlier fifth over 2000m in 3yo COND company was also sound enough given he was unwanted in betting. He is racing consistently and has an excellent recent-year record, but 1800m is untried and that makes him a place-first proposition.

Returns from a five-week let-up after finishing seventh at this track over 1600m, beaten just under five lengths at big odds after racing prominently and fading late. He had run third here the start prior, though he was close enough and could not improve. Two wins and two placings around 1800m are positives, but recent finishing effort leaves him with work to do.