DANON DAX (3) sets the standard after being beaten a nose on debut at Niigata, where he was a dominant odds-on favourite and picked up strongly to just miss. Christophe Lemaire stays aboard and the inside draw gives him a clean platform to make amends fresh. INITIAL POINT (12) has the benefit of two runs, including a debut second when close in betting, and her fifth at Nakayama was sound enough to keep her in the main winning discussion despite the new 1800m test. EPIC JOURNEY (11) is already proven at the distance, having finished third at Niigata, and that gives him a practical edge over several lightly raced rivals still stretching out. MISTY BEACON (10) was pipped on debut over 2000m at Hanshin at generous odds, so even with the slight distance change he brings a genuine maiden-winning profile.