The other G1 is run the weekend after the Japan Cup at Chukyo and this is where many look for a form guide. 

However Lemon Pop has raced since then and won the Negishi, giving him a total of 7 wins from 10 starts to date.  He's fav here and on 2.5.  Dry Stout is on 3.7 and has won 4 from 6 leading to his quote here of 3.7.

Red Le Zele has run in this in the previous two years for a 4th and a 6th and his trainer opted to keep him at home and train him for this race rather than go to Saudi.  This run will be used to see if he will head to Dubai again this year and his quote is 7.9.

The race is open to overseas entries and this year a Canadian-trained horse has turned up in the form of Charles Fipke's home-bred Shirl's Speight.  While trainer Attfield wasn't so certain about the trip Fipke was and wanted the horse to get some good dirt racing experience.  They went to Florida before shipping to Japan and trained on dirt that was not dissimilar to Japan's dirt.  Visiting jockey Joao Moreira has the ride which will add to the excitement.