KITAINO HOSHI (8) earned top billing by breaking through at Urawa last start, beating Meisho Fuso by a neck in C1C2 company, and he brings the best recent winning form into this. He has already won at around 2000m and keeps the successful rider combination, so the profile is solid despite tackling this venue for the first time. GRIS MISTY (7) is the main danger if forgiving the plain sixth at this track last start; her previous Hanshin fifth, beaten just under a length at big odds, reads well for a race like this. FACE KAWASAKI (4) resumes after two Funabashi fourths and has a sound record at this track, giving him a genuine winning platform fresh. THRIAMVOS (2) has been off the scene for over a year, but was third in C1 grade at Funabashi when last seen and has enough career quality to be competitive if forward enough.