Chukyo Race 8 - #3 Ekolu Flugel 

This filly has only won one race, but her recent efforts suggest she is ready to double the tally.

Sent out as second favourite last start over this trip at Fukushima, she got a long way back before making some ground to the corner then continuing the progress to get up for fifth, beaten under 3 lengths. Trainer Shintaro Suzuki has freshened-up the three-year-old following that run, looking to reignite her to find the form that saw her finish just 3.7 lengths behind Stunning Rose in the Grade 3 Shion Stakes in September. A soft run looks assured from gate three and she should prove too strong for a shallow line-up.

Consistent four-year-old Vitoria returns from a 15-week spell. He finds it hard to win but has placed 2/4 when resuming and has a solid record at this circuit. He might be the hardest to beat.

Hanshin Race 10 - #12 Satono Helios 

In eight lifetime starts this colt from the Tomomichi stable has race at stakes level on five occasions for two minor placings.

He returns today after a 12-week spell, last appearing when down the track in the Grade 2 Kobe Shimbun Hai over 2200m at Chukyo; he clearly couldn't run that trip against quality opposition. Although he has never raced over 1600m, his best figures have been achieved at 1800m so the mile looks a reasonable option in this company. Indeed, his career high water marks came when resuming from breaks in nine furlong black-type races, notably a close third in the Grade 2 Spring Stakes at Nakayama in March. That form puts him considerably ahead of his rivals in this allowance race.

Yuga Kawada takes the ride which adds to the confidence; he has partnered the colt successfully before.

The unbeaten Rond is the query runner. The filly is endowed with plenty of talent but whether she can topple the colt off a 15-month spell is questionable.

Hanshin Race 12 - #2 My Symphony 

This Deep Impact filly has been out of the winners' list since her maiden success ten months ago, but this looks a perfect assignment.

She returned from a nine-week layoff last start over 1600m at this track and after doing some work from a very wide gate she battled on gamely to be beaten just 2 lengths. The extra 200m today is a positive, as is drawing gate two which will enable Yutaka Take to take up a forward position without burning too much fuel. She is a smart filly who hasn't had a lot of luck of late, but things look made to order.

The stable thought enough of her to run in the Grade 2 Sho Rose Stakes at Chukyo two runs back, and her midfield finish was full of merit. In a moderate allowance race, she looks a bit better than her rivals.

Gempachi Musashi has attacked the line strongly at both runs this prep in 2000m races. Coming back in trip does not look advantageous, but with Kawada taking over this time around he cannot be underestimated.

Nakayama Dirt Race 4 #8 Flipper 

This improving colt was midfield on debut then has filled a minor placing at his past three runs. Last time out he drew off the track and sat midfield before running on strongly to finish runner-up as favourite.

Christophe Lemaire, who has placed at all three rides, has the mount again. Enjoys a much better draw this time and steps back up to 1800m which looks the right option.

He boasts figures well and truly up to this field and he gets his chance for an overdue maiden success.

Dagr Force looks the main threat. This colt has been competitive at both his runs to date in 1600m contests, the latest effort returning a figure below his debut. Top rider Tom Marquand takes over today. He finds the line well, so an extra furlong helps. He poses a threat if he runs to the rating from two starts ago.

FP	Silk	Horse, Age & Sex Sire & Dam	Jockey Trainer	SP WT
1st		1. TOHO DIAS (JPN) 4yo H TOHO JACKAL (JPN) - TOHO PRINCESS (JPN)	S AKIYAMA K MINAI	$4.4 57kg
		Toho Bussan Co. Ltd.
2nd		7. ROND (JPN) 3yo F SILVER STATE (JPN) - AMOREVOLE (JPN)	YUTAKA TAKE MAMORU ISHIBASHI	$2 54kg
		Kieffers Co. Ltd.
3rd		10. EIKAI STELLA (JPN) 4yo F ORFEVRE (JPN) - VIYADANA (FR)	Y IWATA H FUJIWARA	$33.7 55kg
		Hanami Futagi
4th		6. T O AMAZON (JPN) 6yo H EISHIN FLASH (JPN) - MIYAKO RED ROSE (JPN)	R WADA TAMIO HAMADA	$45 57kg
5th		12. SATONO HELIOS (JPN) 3yo C EPIPHANEIA (JPN) - AIR MAGDALENE (JPN)	Y KAWADA Y TOMOMICHI	$2.9 56kg
6th		2. KERN KINGDOM (JPN) 6yo G ROSE KINGDOM (JPN) - KERN FLOWER (JPN)	RYOYA KOZAKI K KOZAKI	$229.5 57kg
7th		4. SURVIVE (JPN) 5yo H KINSHASA NO KISEKI (AUS) - XANAS (IRE)	KATSUMA SAMESHIMA HIROO SHIMIZU	$76.9 57kg
8th		9. A T SOVEREIGN (JPN) 4yo H LEONTES (JPN) - AIR JE PRENDS CA (JPN)	DAISAKU MATSUDA HIDENORI TAKE	$17.7 57kg
9th		5. CITY RAINBOW (JPN) 4yo H EPIPHANEIA (JPN) - SEA JO (JPN)	KYOSUKE KOKUBUN KANEO IKEZOE	$20.5 57kg
10th		8. FIRE BOWLER (JPN) 6yo G MEISHO BOWLER (JPN) - YUMENO HAKOBUNE (JPN)	HAYATO YOSHIDA KOSHIRO TAKE	$70.9 57kg
11th		3. POWER TAISHO (JPN) 3yo C AMERICAN PATRIOT (USA) - MEMORIAL YEAR (JPN)	FUMA MATSUWAKA AKIRA MURAYAMA	$248.6 56kg
12th		11. SIBERIAN TIGER (JPN) 11yo G TANINO GIMLET (JPN) - KURONEKO (JPN)	YOSHIHIRO FURUKAWA KAZUHIRO KATO	$397.5 57kg