SUN OBSIDIAN (5) sets the standard after a sound debut second at Kyoto, beaten two and a half lengths by Rasgueado after working home evenly from a 1600m NEWCOMER. The move to 1800m is unproven, but he comes back quickly, has already handled good ground and looks the most reliable winning profile. NO MONDAY (16) is the obvious danger, having finished third at Hanshin on debut, beaten only a length by Memory Book, and the ¥50.6m yearling purchase has scope to improve with race experience. KOSAI RIKURI (13) has the strongest exposed 1800m profile, with two placings from two starts around this distance, and her narrow Nakayama third two runs ago reads well despite a plain 2000m sixth last time. VENTO RINA (7) has placed twice from four starts and was again respected in betting at Tokyo, but the latest eight-and-a-half-length fifth leaves her with more to prove than the first three selections.