A SHIN LEO (7) has been a regular in the winners' stall of late including last start in dominant fashion over 1800m at this track. Winning rider S Kawahara retains the mount. Facing a tougher assignment but he is good enough to score again. BLACK BUTLER (6) has been in the placings his past two starts, finishing second over 1900m at Kasamatsu last time out. Tomohiro Sasada who has scored on him three times retains the mount. Should be hard to stop. INVERSION (8) is struggling to break through but hasn't been far away, the latest offering a fourth, beaten 1.5 lengths, over 1870m at Sonoda. Wataru Hirose who has two wins when partnering stays on. Has claims on his best figures. VLAG (4) was beaten 2 lengths into sixth in a 1870m contest at Sonoda last time out. No surprise to see him in the mix.