Four meetings on the NAR circuits of Japan on Tuesday with racing from Sonoda, Funabashi, Mizusawa and Kanazawa. We've done the form for the day and picked out our best bets across the cards.
Sonoda Race 4 #1- Kikuno Ardent
Banking on this colt's upside to get the job done here having just had the one start when running second on debut over 1400m. He was beaten 2.5 lengths on that occasion but did put a big 5 length gap on third and strikes a very winnable race here. The time wasn't overly strong from that race so I don't mind that he drops back slightly in distance, with Poison Black's progeny typically turning out to be sprinters anyway. This looks a very winnable race and with natural improvement he should go close.
Funabashi Race 6- #3 Lemurian Seed
Only a field of six here but an intriguing contest. I think we'll get a competitive price for Lemurian Seed who was well beaten last start at this track and distance without any excuses. I'm happy to wipe that run and go off his previous form which was very good. He won second up for new trainer Kiyoaki Sasaki over 1400m, equalling his peak rating from his Kanazawa days over 1500m. If he can bounce back to that level and stretch to the mile I think his class will get him home, with the small field likely to suit. #4 Perchill is a strong danger having won well as an even money favourite last time but at their best I think Lemurian Seed is the better horse.
Funabashi Race 12- #5 Karlsbad
Very keen on this four-year-old entire who is in great form, winning two of his last three and running second at his most recent start. That was on wet ground over 1500m whereas his wins prior were on good ground over 1200m and 1400m. He now drops back to 1200m which should suit and if he runs to that level I'm expecting him to prove too strong. He'll likely start a fairly short favourite but should justify it. #7 Work And Beat might be the only danger having won well first up.
Kanazawa Race 8- #4 B Blue
Open race for our Kanazawa play and I think we'll get each-way odds for B Blue which looks a good bet. This three-year-old filly takes on the older horses and is coming off a poor run last start but did have excuses. She sat close to a very strong tempo on very testing conditions and understandably dropped out to finish sixth. Three of her four runs prior to that were very good and would see her right in the finish here. If she can recapture those ratings she should be hard to beat. #5 Smash Power is a key danger in a wide open race but off SP's I think B Blue will start a much bigger price and looks the bet.
