AZURITE AZUL (6) brings the clearest winning case after a narrow Mdn second at Sapporo Dirt, beaten half a length by Meisho Sendo after leading and only being run down late. The class drop is meaningful and his previous second, though beaten eight lengths, showed he had found a more competitive vein. REVIVE MAILLARD (9) is the proven track-and-distance runner, with three wins and four placings from eleven attempts at this venue and trip, and he was only beaten just under a length by Sekitei Rocks last start. HATCHIN (7) resumes with a tidy overall record at this track and was well enough found in betting before a fair fifth in COND grade before the break, so she has the profile to run well fresh. ITO (1) is more of a place case, but his latest sixth behind World Fountain was a step in the right direction after he worked home fairly from well back.