STAR FLASH (13) is the horse to beat off his debut second at this track, where he was beaten just over a length as odds-on favourite in a 2yo NEWCOMER. The wide draw and untried 1600m are the qualifications, but that exposed form and Christophe Lemaire's booking give him a strong winning profile. HIGEKIRI (15) also made a sound start, finishing second to Enjambment at Nakayama Dirt after being well found in an open market, and he looks capable of improving second-up despite his own wide gate. WONDER MARVEL (5) brings the most appealing recent run, having finished fourth and beaten just under two lengths at Nakayama Dirt at generous odds, so the drop back to 1600m is the main query rather than the quality of his debut. AOI NORIPU (10) is more exposed, but his fourth at Sapporo was a step back in the right direction and he has the race fitness to press for a placing.