1

Talking Drum

Clinched a first graded race in the G3 Hankyu Hai (1400m) in February. Followed up with sixth in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) in March before another sixth to Red Falx in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) latest. Races close to lead but held together for a late run. Relishes a firm track.

2

Decipher

Winless since the G2 American Jockey Club Cup (2200m) last January. He also finished sixth in last year’s G1 Yasuda Kinen. 1600m at Tokyo should be up his alley. Races midfield position or handier.

3

Sunrise Major

Six of his eight wins have come over 1600m. Finished fifth to Isla Bonita in the G2 Milers Cup in April latest. Versatile type of horse and no track concerns.

4

Ambitious

Five-year-old is two from two over 1600m throughout his career. In the G2 Sankei Osaka Hai last year (now a G1) he beat Horse of the Year Kitasan Black. He also showed brilliant acceleration in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m), finishing fourth to Maurice last October. Fought on well to finish fourth in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) in February before finishing fifth in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) in April latest. Hold-up runner and tested only on firm and good.

5

Contentment

Winless this season in nine starts until shock victory in G1 Champions Mile latest. Disappointed with last of 12 in Yasuda Kinen last year. Generally races handy to the speed. Firmer going is a plus for him.

6

Red Falx

Claimed a first G1 title in the Sprinters Stakes last year before LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint disappointment. Returned with third in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen. Clocked the fastest final 600m in winning the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) latest on rain-affected going. Eight out of his nine victories were on left-handed courses. Races from midpack early.

7

Greater London

Forced to the sidelines for a year, but he has been undefeated in four runs since his return in November. Sent out favourite in all seven career starts, has six wins and one second. Unbeaten at Tokyo, races from the back and has no ground worries.

8

Air Spinel

Finished in the top five in all of his career starts. Winless in all three of the Japanese classics, but raced consistently - fourth in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2,000 Guineas), fourth in the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) and third in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) respectively. He finished a half-length second to Isla Bonita in the G2 Milers Cup last start having travelled wide throughout. Races mid to fore. Tested only on firm and good ground.

9

Longing Dancer

Finished third in the G3 Niigata Kinen (2000m) last September, but has been winless since August 2015. Can take lead but versatile and can also race from back.

10

Clarente

Eight-year-old veteran of 40 starts for seven wins. His last win was the G3 Keisei Hai Autumn Handicap (1600m) in September 2014, but his form has improved a lot and he finished second to Red Falx in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) in mid-May latest. No ground issues and a versatile type of horse.

11

Black Spinel

Finished fourth to Isla Bonita in the G2 Milers Cup. The G3 Tokyo Shimbun Hai (1600m) winner is a versatile type of horse but should race close to the lead. Has an impressive turn of foot. Tested only on firm and good.

12

Beauty Only

G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile winner making his first start outside Hong Kong since he was imported from Italy. Won G2 Jockey Club Mile prior to that, and while winless in four starts since December, did rattle home for two runner-up finishes over a mile in the G2 Chairman’s Trophy behind Rapper Dragon and the G1 Champions Mile behind Contentment. Races back in field, needs firm going.

13

Logi Chalice

Grabbed his first graded race success in the G3 Lord Derby Challenge Trophy (1600m) at Nakayama in April latest. Handles rain-affected going. Sits handy but can race from the back.

14

Satono Aladdin

Seventh in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile last December. Started favourite in the G2 Keio Hai Spring Cup (1400m) in May at his seasonal debut but unable to quicken on the rain-affected track and finished ninth. Races from back.

15

Isla Bonita

Six-year-old returned to the winner’s circle for the first time since the G2 St. Lite Kinen (2200m) in September 2014 in the G2 Milers Cup on 23 April. Fifth in last year’s G1 Yasuda Kinen. Had finished second three times in a row before the Milers Cup. Races close to lead and relishes the firm track.

16

Logotype

Last year’s Yasuda Kinen winner. Sidelined due to injury after the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m), when third to Neorealism, in February. The 1600m at Tokyo should be his best trip. Leads or sits handy.

17

Young Man Power

Winning three-race streak in the G3 Fuji Stakes (1600m) beating Isla Bonita at Tokyo last October, the five-year-old stalked the lead from second position and finished well third in the G2 Milers Cup latest. Close to lead.

18

Staphanos

Third to Maurice in G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup last December. Fought on well for second to Kitasan Black in the G1 Osaka Hai (2000m) latest. Races from any position and should be suited to the long-stretch course at Tokyo. No ground issues.