1

Kitasan Black

3rd in this race last year.  Claimed his 2nd G1 win in the Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in May. Defeated 16 local and international rivals latest when winning the G1 Japan Cup (2400m) by 2.5L.  Leads or tracks speed.  Aims to become the 5th horse in JRA history to win the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen in the same year.

2

Gold Actor

Won his seasonal debut in the G2 Nikkei Sho (2500m) in March before a disappointing 12th in G1 Tenno Sho Spring in May.  He took the G2 All Comers (2200m) in September and weakened in the stretch to finish fourth in the Japan Cup (2400m) latest. Won all his three previous starts at pattern level at Nakayama.  Sits close to the lead.

3

Mousquetaire

Has yet to win in four starts this season. Came off a seventh-place in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) on 3 Dec latest.  Tactically versatile, settles back but can sit handier. 

4

Yamakatsu Ace

Won two G2 and two G3 events in his 15 appearances at pattern level, including latest when he showed a strong late kick and won the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) on 3 Dec.  Sits handier or settles midfield.  Untried beyond 2200m. 

5

Samson’s Pride

Yet to win since taking the upper-class Ryofuku Stakes in May, including latest when he ran 7th behind Albert in the G2 Stayers Stakes (3600m).  Races close to lead.

6

Sounds Of Earth

Three-time runner-up at G1 level but still seeking his first G1 win. Ran 4th in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) in October, and he galloped strongly to finish 2nd in Japan Cup (2400m).  Should be at peak condition.

7

Maltese Apogee

This 4yo colt took his 3rd career win in an allowance race (1800m) in January.  Three unplaced efforts followed. But he has shown dramatic improvement since July when winning two higher class races, then taking the G3 Fukushima Kinen (2000m) in November latest.  Always leads.

8

Mikki Queen

Finished in the top 3 in 10 of her 11 career starts. Strong stretch run but could not catch the lead and finished 3rd in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) in November latest.  She is in good form.  Big chance if she breaks well.

9

Hit The Target

Winless since taking the G2 Meguro Kinen (2500m) last year. Best performance within this period was third in this year’s G2 Meguro Kinen and 5th in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) in October.  Unlikely to see physical improvement at the age of 8, but he is very tough and strong mentally.  Hold up runner.

10

Admire Deus

Ran 7th in this race last year. 3rd on seasonal debut in the G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) in February and 3rd next up in G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) in March. After placing 9th in the G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m), he finished well to take 2nd behind Kitasan Black in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) in October and was a smart 6th to Maurice in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) latest.  Hold up runner. 

11

Satono Diamond

The only 3yo in the field.  Ran 3rd in the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas [2000m]) and a nose 2nd in the Japanese Derby (2400m), Satono Diamond made no mistake last time when taking the G1 Kikuka Sho (3000m), the last leg of Japanese Triple Crown, in October. Has impressive speed. Usually races from midfield. 

12

Satono Noblesse

Has won four graded races but yet to succeed at G1 level.  A versatile performer, the horse can sit handy and settles behind the lead and he should suit the Nakayama racecourse with its short turns.  He comes off a third-place in the recent G2 Kinko Sho (2000m). 

13

Denim And Ruby

Winless since the 2013 G2 Rose Stakes (1800m).  Back in form with second-place in the 2015 G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) and finished second to Lovely Day in the 2015 G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m). Spelled for 18-month vacation due to tendon injury, and her first race up from the layoff was the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) on 3 December in which she placed 8th.  Hold up runner.

14

Cheval Grand

Flourished this year with two wins in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) and G2 Copa Republica Argentina (2500m), also finished 3rd in the G1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) and G1 Japan Cup (2400m).  The only issue is that he will run at Nakayama for the first time.  Hold up runner.

15

Albert

Last time won the G2 Stayers Stakes (3600m) for second consecutive year. The Arima Kinen will be his third start after a six-month layoff and he is in good condition.  Hold-up runner.  Handles any going. 

16

Marialite

A very talented filly by Deep Impact. Finished decent 4th in this race last year when she broke from the widest gate of 16.  Took her 2nd G1 success when showing a strong turn-of-foot to defeat Duramente and Kitasan Black in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June. 6th latest in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2200m) in November.  Prefers softer track.  Hold-up runner.