Chukyo Dirt Race 2 - #11 Splendida 

There isn't a great deal of depth to this maiden so Splendida will never get a better chance to break the ice.

She has raced twice this preparation and been about the mark on both occasions, the latest effort a closing third here on turf over today's trip. Switches to the dirt for the first time but there is no reason she won't handle the transition.

Jockey Suguru Hamanaka should have the filly up on the speed and if her turf ratings cross over to this surface she will be too strong for today's line-up in the final stages.

Waiau is the danger. Started at $1.80 on debut at Hakodate in June but didn't run on as expected and missed the placings. She probably has more to offer than that based on the strong market support so a much better run will not surprise.

Chukyo Dirt Race 9 - #8 Fortuneteller 

This four-year-old resumed over today's course and distance three weekends ago and settled a lot further back than usual before stoking up late to finish an eye-catching second. Perhaps in response to that ride the Hamada stable has engaged leading rider Yuichi Fukunaga for this assignment; he partnered the son of Sinister Minister to his last success back on 11 September, also over 1400m at Chukyo Dirt.

The best ratings achieved by Fortuneteller eclipse those of today's rivals by some margin. He looks to be back in good shape and has a strong second-up record. Everything points towards a better run than last start which will be enough to see him take this out.

Timing Now has not won for almost four years but he has been well backed of late which must be respected. His form is mixed, but a close second two runs back over this distance at Hanshin Dirt reads well and a repeat effort would put him right in the finish.

Chukyo Race 7 - #8 Warewa Uminoko 

Three career starts for three minor placings has frustrated supporters who have sent this filly out as favourite twice and second favourite once. Her latest effort was perhaps the best, working forward from a very wide gate to box on well for third over this course and distance three weekends ago.

David Egan is riding well and he has been engaged today. There is quite a bit of speed in this race so from a middle gate he should be able to slot in just behind the leading division and be saved up for one last shot. His figures to date have been remarkably consistent and are good enough to take care of today's line-up if replicated.

Nihonpiro Kyiv started at $3.40 and just missed on debut last start at Hanshin over ten furlongs after stalking the pace. There should be more pressure up front this time, so his task does not get any easier but at just the second race start there is plenty of scope for improvement.

Nakayama Dirt Race 7 - #7 Best Feeling 

In a race with barely a handful of realistic winning hopes, Best Feeling looks perfectly placed to record his second career win at the eighth start.

He returned from a short break last start at this venue on the turf track and, after getting a lot further back than anticipated from a nice gate, worked home well to finish just behind the placings. Lemaire takes over today and can be expected to have the four-year-old a bit closer in the run.

It is noteworthy that his career-high rating was achieved second-up at Tokyo in May 2022, coming off an identical first-up figure. If similar progression is achieved today he looks to have a fair bit on this field despite tackling a dirt track for the first time.

The best of the others is the free-running Royal Dance who resumed last start with a brave second over this course and distance. Just one win from 18 starts is the concern but he will give supporters a great sight.