TAISEI DIAMANT (8) brings the strongest recent profile, having gone under by a neck first-up at Hanshin Dirt after another narrow second at this venue before the break. His 1200m record is solid, and the combination of consistency, race fitness and proven form at the trip makes him the horse to beat. TAKASUTAKASUTAKASU (7) is the key danger after being run down late as odds-on favourite at Nakayama Dirt; his four-from-four place record around 1200m keeps him right in the winning discussion. AOI REGINA (12) has put two seconds together this campaign and looks ready to peak third-up, though she still has to turn solid placings into a win. PEARL FRONT (15) keeps knocking on the door with three straight seconds and was beaten only a neck at Sapporo Dirt last time, so her honesty gives her a genuine chance again.