Our best bets for Sunday

Hanshin Race 11 - #6 Sodashi 

Talented mare ready to find winning form. Already a three-time Grade 1 winner, the four-year-old was game in defeat in the Fuchu Himba Stakes over 1800m when beaten just a head. Fitter for the two runs back its worth noting she has a superb record at the mile, winning four of five starts including this class just three runs back. She looks ideally placed today and hard to hold out with regular rider Hayato Yoshido aboard.

Schnell Meister was ninth fresh in the Sprinters Stakes over 1200m but wasn't far from the winner after winding up late. He has a strong record at the mile and much better placed here. Expecting a big run today.

Hanshin Dirt Race 6 - #8 Scipio 

This four-year-old returns from a 10-week spell today in a race of few chances. After a stellar career on the NAR circuit, he was transferred to the Hamada stable last prep and acquitted himself well in two runs at this level, finishing third on each occasion. The better of those runs was his first-up effort when he led and battled on well over 1700m at Kokura Dirt in a race that produced four subsequent winners.

Jockey Kaito Kawabata should cross and lead from the wide alley and, if he can recapture the form from his fresh run last prep, he looks good enough to take this out. 

Patriot Run improved nicely last start at the second run of the campaign when runner-up in a similar race to this. He can stalk Scipio from his nice alley and is certainly a threat.

Fukushima Dirt Race 11 - #5 Sunrise Urus 

Lightly raced galloper back for second run of the campaign. Resumed in a similar race over 1800m and after drifting well back wound up strongly to place. That figure was just off his best so looks to have come back in grade order. Worth noting though the entire has started three times second-up for three wins, so is expected to build on the eye-catching return. Kazou Yokohama, who has a good record while aboard, gets the rider today and the pair look tough to hold out.

Depasser is a speedy type who loos the main threat. After leading throughout to score at his last run before a spell be repeated the effort fresh, crossing from a wide gate and leading before digging deep to score. This is a tougher assignment but he will be in this for a long way.

Tokyo Race 10 - #7 Suave Herme 

Talented stayer resuming. Raced just twice last campaign, both over 2600m in similar grade to this, and placed at each. The last run was well off both but worth noting the last fresh run was a career best figure and certainly good enough to take care of this field. From a spell he has a win and three minors from four starts and looks well placed here to make an immediate impact.

Red Mirage is looking for a winning hat-trick and appeals as the main threat. The filly is unbeaten in two runs this campaign over the same journey and although takes on a tougher race here is hard to knock. With the nice weight she looks tough to hold out again.