MIRAGE KNIGHT (4) resumes as the horse to beat after winning the Listed SAPPORO NIKKEI SHO at Sapporo, having earlier finished fourth in the G2 Meguro Kinen at this track when beaten a length and a half by Feiern Kranz. His career record remains highly reliable and Atsuya Nishimura has won on him before. JOY BOY (8) brings a different profile, coming off an ALLOW win at Hanshin where he made up strong ground, and his record around 2500m gives him the scope to carry that form into tougher company. WEST NOW (11) was only beaten just over two lengths in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten and has already won at this track and distance, making him a genuine danger with that run under his belt. MEISHO GEKIRIN (12) is third-up after winning the G2 Sankei Sho All Comers at Nakayama, and his proven Group 2 record keeps him firmly in the winning mix despite the distance query.