Here are our best bets for Sunday

Nakayama Race 11 - #10 Gaia Force 

Smart four-year-old resuming. Missed the frame for the first time in his career at his last run when tackling the Grade 1 Kikuka Sho when racing midfield and seemingly failing to run out the 3000m journey. Prior to that, the beautiful looking grey was a Grade 2 winner this course and distance when coming home strongly to score by a head (pictured)

Fresh-up he has started four times for two wins and two minors and in today's easier race and suitable journey he can add to that record.

Epiphany is a progressive galloper hard to fault and can measure up. After placing his first two starts he has strung together four wins on end and improved his rating at each run. Today is his first try at the longer trip and is up in class but is unbeaten at the course and is a horse on the up.

Kokura Race 9 - #11 Daremo Tomerarenai 

Lightly raced filly overdue for a win. Has improved her figures at each run this time in, two back placing over this journey at Fukushima and again last time going close when placed here at her first try at the course. After leading off her low draw she was in front for most of the way before being gathered in right on the line for a close up third.

She is overdue for a win and rates on top on this line-up across the board. She gets her chance to break through.

Navarone doesn't win out of turn but looks a serious threat on his last start when placed over 1400m. He is drawn much closer this time and will be winding up strongly over the shorter journey.

Kokura Race 10 - #11Shihono Speranza 

Talented stayer resuming. Kicked off last campaign at this course and distance, settling midfield off the wide drawn before working through his gears and scoring an effortless win. He then stepped straight into the Grade 1 Kikuka Sho at Hanshin (3000m) and wasn't disgraced at big odds, settling well back and running on nicely into fifth.

Today he resumes in far easier grade and is yet to miss the frame when fresh from three tries, including the win two back. He looks ideally placed and will be hard to hold out.

Blow The Horn is racing in career best form and looks the main threat. He was a strong on pace winner last time over 2500m in a career best figure and will strip even fitter here third-up.

Chukyo Dirt Race 7 - #9 Brazilian Song 

This four-year-old has returned in fine form this prep and in a very thin affair looks poised to record his second win.

Opened the campaign with a tidy third at Hanshin Dirt then came here last time out and led into the straight only to find Magic Speech a little too good at the end of 1800m. This is the first time the Ikezoe stable has been able the get him to the races for the third time in a preparation which suggests he is more mature now and pleasing his trainer. 

Jockey David Egan is riding well, and the stable is firing, and they look all set to combine for a win for the first time. 

The only realistic threat appears to be Shosan Kizuna who returns from a 32-week spell. He has been in the money at both of his first-up runs and will enjoy a soft run from the handy gate.