Hanshin Dirt Race 9 - # 1 Kitano Serenade 

There is plenty to like about this colt's prospects at the third run back from a spell.

After a modest fourth when resuming at this track over 2000m, he improved sharply last start when ridden a little closer to the pace, finding Silver Ace a bit too good. His rating that day was a career-high at his tenth appearance, and if replicated today would make him very hard to beat. Coming back to 1800m is not a concern. The three-year-old has been tried over nine furlongs three times for three placings. David Egan will give this son of Hokko Tarumae every chance from the inside alley, and he should be chalking-up the third win of his career.

B I Oracle ran a much better race last start when runner-up over this course and distance. He can roll forward from the wide gate and is sure to be there at the business end.

Nakayama Dirt Race 1 - # 3 Days Of Dream 

This filly's return from an 11-week spell last time out over today's course and distance was full of merit. She led on that occasion and looked like breaking her maiden status until Seuin Damashii arrived late to score narrowly.

The Kato-trained juvenile should take great benefit from that run. Cristian Demuro, who is in great form, takes the ride and his association with this stable is formidable. From gate three he should bounce to the front and dictate terms. Expect her to keep going this time and earn a well-deserved win.

Magic Touch draws inside Days Of Dream and looks the danger after battling on well for third on debut here three weeks ago.

Nakayama Race 11 - # 13 Titleholder 

This is a star-studded line-up, but it can be argued that this entire is the measuring stick. He has contested eight Grade One races in his 13-start career, winning three of them. His back-to-back successes at the elite level in May/June of this year were stunning, and in the process he registered a couple of ratings that put him in the elite of world racing. 

A trip to Longchamp in October for the Arc did not pan out, a performance many lengths below his best. That effort is certainly worth forgiving.

From a wide gate Kazou Yokoyama will be positive and press forward. If trainer Toru Kurita has him back anywhere near that form that saw him take out the Tenno Sho and Takarazuka Kinen in the Summer, he can add this prestigious race to his record. Such is the depth of this field that nice each-way odds should be available.

The threats are numerous. Three-year-old Equinox is probably the greatest danger based on the barnstorming win in the Tenno Sho over 2000m at Tokyo in late October. He raises the bar at every appearance and will arguably be more effective over the extra 500m today.

Nakayama Race 12 - # 6 Saiya Dancer 

Potentially some nice value about this one in the final event. Although this five-year-old has not won for around 22 months, there is a bit to like about his prospects.

After a poor first-up effort he improved sharply last time out when runner-up over 1400m at Hanshin. It was a notable effort as it was just the second time he has filled a placing in six second-up runs, so he is clearly going well for trainer Masashi Fukayama. At the third run back, he starts to put it together. The rating achieved last time measures up very well against his opponent's best recent efforts.

The drop back to 1200m is not concerning. He is a speedy entire who was beaten narrowly in two consecutive runs last preparation over six furlongs. The engagement of Demuro is a positive move, and the in-form jockey should have this fellow right in the firing line from his favourable gate. If each-way odds can be obtained, he looks a very appealing bet on that basis.

Isn't She Lovely was a real eye-catcher last start when she just missed over this course and distance. Staying at 1200m is the concern, but watch for her descending late in the piece.