MEISHO GISHI O (6) is the horse to beat after showing clear improvement through the campaign, with his third behind I Samain at this track the best recent platform among the main chances. He has three wins at this track and distance and comes into this fourth-up with the right profile to keep building. RAMBOSHI (8) was beaten just over two lengths as a short odds-on favourite last start, so he has a small query to answer, but his long record and top-rated recent form keep him high in calculations. CRIMSON RED (7) is better suited back to 1400m second-up, where his five wins at this track and distance carry real weight. MEISHO MASAKARI (10) has placed at both recent starts either side of a break and worked home evenly when third to Cannonball, making him a genuine place chance with enough form to trouble the stronger hopes.
