1 Tap Dance City (USA) 6 b h Pleasant Tap - All Dance (Northern Dancer) Trainer - S Sasaki 31 starts 8-5-7

The runner-up to Symboli Kris S in last year's Arima Kinen (JpnGr.1-2500m), Tap Dance City notched back-to-back wins in the spring after a four-month break and finished 3^rd in the JpnGr.1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) to Hishi Miracle in June. However, Tap Dance City easily turned the tables on that rival last time out for his second Graded stakes win of the season in the Kyoto Daishoten (Gr.2-2400m) on 12 October. A repeat of that form may see him in the shake-up here.

2 Denon (USA) 5 b h Pleasant Colony - Aviance (Northfields) Trainer - Bobby Frankel 19 starts 6-4-3

High class performer in Europe and America; formerly trained in France where he won the Prix de Fontainebleau (Gr.3-1600m) at 3 and ran a close 3^rd in both the French 2000 Guineas (Gr.1-1600m) and Prix Jean Prat (Gr.1-1800m). Was sold to the States and won the Gr.1 Hollywood Derby (1800m) on his debut there. In 2002, Denon contested 5 Gr.1 events, winning twice (Charles Whittingham Handicap (2000m), Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (2400m)) and running a close 2^nd on 2 other occasions; that season culminated with a 5.75 lengths 5^th to High Chaparral in the Breeders' Cup Turf (Gr.1-2400m). Has won one of his five starts this term, the Manhattan Handicap (Gr.1-2000m) and has not been beaten far in his other efforts. Very consistent, has never finished worst than 5^th in 19 starts; acts on any going, usually races close to the speed.

3 Sakura President (JPN) 3 b c Sunday Silence - Sedan Forever (Maruzensky) Trainer - F Kojima 9 starts 3-4-0

Sakura President, finished out of the Quinella for the first time in his career when 7^th in the Japanese Derby (JpnGr.1-2400m), his 6^th career start. Back after a three-month spell, he won the JpnGr.2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) on 24 August and finished 2^nd in the Kobe Shimbun Hai (JpnGr.2-2000m) in September, prior to finishing 9^th and not seeing out the Japanese St. Leger (JpnGr.1) trip of 3000m last time. Has the potential to win a Gr.1.

18 Sunrise Pegasus(JPN) 5 ch h Sunday Silence - Higashi Brian (Brian's Time) Trainer - S Ishizaka 14 starts - 4-3-1

Sunrise Pegasus earned his first Graded stakes success in the JpnGr.2 Sankei Osaka Hai last March before finishing fifth in the Tenno Sho (Spring) (JpnGr.1-3200m) the following month. He was sidelined for five months before finishing 4^th in the Gr.2 Mainichi Okan and finishing a good 3^rd to Symboli Kris S in last year's Tenno Sho (Autumn) (JpnGr.1-2000m). Sidelined with a tendon problem for year, the chestnut horse finished 6^th in this year's Tenno Sho (Autumn) on his reappearance and needs to improve a fair bit on that if he is to figure here. Effective at the Japan Cup trip and handles any ground.

4 Fields Of Omagh (AUS) 6 b g Rubiton - Finetto (Ceretto (IRE)) Trainer - Tony McEvoy 26 starts 10-6-4

High class Australian performer, the winner of the Cox Plate (Gr.1-2040) two starts back under a fine tactical ride, hitting the front 600m out and holding on gamely for his first win at the highest level from 7 attempts. Has since run 2.6 lengths 3^rd in the Mackinnon Stakes (Gr.1-2000m) and is ready for his ever first overseas foray here. A late maturing type, it was 11 starts before he tackled his first Listed event, which he won in October 2001. Has also twice been laid off with suspensory ligament trouble. Very consistent and honest; handles any going but seems best on top of the ground.

5 Symboli Kris S (USA) 4 b/br c Kris S - Tee Kay (Gold Meridian) Trainer - K Fujisawa 13 starts - 7-2-3

The 2002 JRA Horse of the Year, Symboli Kris S became the first back-to-back winner of the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (JpnGr.1-2000m) last time out. Won two Jpn Gr.1 events last year including the prestigious Grand Prix Arima Kinen (JpnGr.1-2500m) last December and was narrowly trumped a nose by Falbrav in the Japan Cup last year. Only had one run prior to his last start and that was in the JpnGr.1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) when 2 lengths 5^th. Likely favourite to go one better this year and is a very strong closer.

6 Ana Marie (FR) 4 b f Anabaa (USA) - Marie de Ken (FR) (Kendor (FR)) Trainer - Philippe Demercastel 19 starts 2-5-4

Smart and consistent filly; her first win was in the Prix Vanteaux (Gr.3-1800m) from subsequent dual Gr.1 winner Bright Sky, who gained revenge in the French Oaks (Gr.1-2200m) when Ana Marie was 3^rd. Has since been largely confined to Gr.1 company though she has yet to win at the highest level, despite her consistency. Won the Gr.2 Hocquart (2000m) from Arc rival Fair Mix (he later beat her in the Gr.1 Prix Ganay) and has twice ended up 4 lengths behind leading Japan Cup fancy Ange Gabriel this year. Was a good second to Classic winning Russian Rhythm in the Nassau Stakes (Gr.1-2000m) for fillies and mares on 2 August and ran 2 lengths 5^th in the Prix de l'Opera (Gr.1-2000m) on her penultimate outing. In her Japan Cup prep, she finished 3 lengths 8^th in the QEII Commemorative Cup (JpnGr.1-2200m) on 16 November at Kyoto. She acts on any going and stays 2400m well.

15 Slew Valley (USA) 6 b h Valley Crossing - Slewway (Slewpy) Trainer - G Sciacca 22 starts 4-2-4

Very smart American turf stayer, though he has yet to land his first Grade 1 success. Was 1 length 3^rd (for the second time) in Sword Dancer Invitational Handicap (Gr.1-2400m) in August but went one better a month later when 2^nd in the Man O'War Stakes (Gr.1-2200m). Lacked a turn of foot last time out, however, in the Turf Classic Invitational Stakes (Gr.1-2400m). Likely to be one of the longer-priced overseas challengers; races prominently in the USA and best on a firm track.

7 Tsurumaru Boy (JPN) 5 b h Dance in the Dark - Tsurumaru Girl (Soccor Boy) Trainer - K Hashiguchi 25 starts 6-6-3

Tsurumaru Boy gained his first Graded stakes success in the JpnGr.3 Chukyo Kinen in March 2002, and followed up in the JpnGr.2 Kinko Sho two months later. Ran 2^nd in the JpnGr.1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June 2002, a berth he filled again this year. Rounded off his 2002 campaign running 2^nd in the JpnGr.3 Kyoto Daishoten and disappointed when 11^th in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (JpnGr.1-2000m). After a five-month spell, he ran 3^rd on his reappearance in the JpnGr.2 Sankei Osaka Hai on his seasonal debut, and has performed consistently since in big events, including running 4^th Tenno Sho (Spring) (JpnGr.1-3200m), and 2^nd in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) on 2 November.

8 Neo Universe (JPN) 3 b c Sunday Silence - Pointed Path (Kris) Trainer - T Setoguchi 10 starts 6-0-3

The outstanding 3yo of his generation, Neo Universe failed to sweep the Triple Crown when outstayed by That's the Plenty in the JpnGr.1 Japanese St. Leger (3000m) on 26 October having previously secured the Japanese Derby (JpnGr.1-2400m) and the Japanese 2000 Guineas (JpnGr.1-2000m). Overall the Sunday Silence colt was undefeated in 5 starts in the spring campaign prior to tackling older horses and finishing 4^th in the JpnGr.1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June. A very high-class colt, he is well capable of defeating the older horses here.

9 Ange Gabriel (FR) 5 gr h Kaldounevees - Mount Gable (Head For Heights) Trainer - Eric Libaud 20 starts 12-3-2

Very smart stayer, thoroughly genuine and consistent; the winner of 6 his last 8 races, including 3 Gr.1s and the same number of Gr.2s. Very progressive last year winning a Listed Race and later taking the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (Gr.1-2400m) by 2 lengths. Later won a Gr.2 over 2400m in France before plundering the Hong Kong Vase from Aquarelliste. Has fared just as well in 2003, beaten under a length by Sulamani in the Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1-2400m); won three times from June to September, including a repeat Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud success. Failed to handle the heavy track in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr.1-2400m) last time. Best form on good or faster, usually races fairly prominently.

10 That's the Plenty (JPN) 3 b c Dance In The Dark - Bubble Prospector (Miswaki) Trainer - K Hashiguchi 8 start 3-1-1

That's the Plenty denied Neo Universe a clean sweep of the Japanese Triple Crown in the Japanese St. Leger (JpnGr.1-3000m) on 26 October. Won last year's JpnGr.3 Radio Tamap Hai Nisai Stakes and was sidelined for over 2 months prior to running 6^th in the JpnGr.2 Yayoi Sho in March on his seasonal debut. The bay colt disappointed in the spring Classics, and his reappearance for the autumn campaign was when 5^th in the Kobe Shimbun Hai (JpnGr.2-2000m) prior to the St. Leger. May need a stiffer test of stamina than just the 2400m here.

11 Active Bio (JPN) 6 b h Opera House - Royal Bio (Symboli Rudolf) Trainer : H Sakiyama 37 starts 6-5-1

An out-and-out stayer, Active Bio, last year's winner of the JpnGr.2 Nikkei Sho, finished a game second in the Manyo Stakes on his 2003 debut 10 months ago and gained his first win of this campaign last time out in the Copa Republica Argentina (JpnGr.2-2500m) on 9 November, surging to the lead in mid-stretch and holding a late challenge to score narrowly.

17 Tigertail (FR) 4 b f Priolo (USA) - Tiger Stripes (GB) Prince Rupert Trainer - Rod Collet 13 starts 2-3-3

Smart and consistent performer, won Prix Minerve (Gr.3-2500m) at 3 years and placed 3^rd in the Prix Royallieu (Gr.2-2500m), her final start of last year. Has been running well this year, but she has a bit to find with Japan Cup rival Islington judged on her 4^th placed effort to that filly when beaten 5.7 lengths in the Yorkshire Oaks (Gr.1-2400m) in August. Well travelled, she was beaten a head into 2^nd in the E P Taylor Stakes (Gr.1-2000m) for fillies and mares in October. Has since acquitted herself well in her Japan Cup prep, finishing 1-1/2 lengths 3^rd, 2 lengths ahead of her compatriot an fellow Japan Cup challenger, Ana Marie, in the QEII Commemorative Cup (JpnGr.1-2200m), also for fillies and mares, on 16 November. Races held up, acts on any going.

12 Derby Regno (JPN) 5 ch h Tony Bin - Derby Kingdom (Royal Academy) Trainer - S Takahashi 33 starts 3-2-3

The 2001 JpnGr.3 Shinzan Kinen winner, Derby Regno has yet to register a JpnGr.1 success. The 5yo was winless for more than 2 years before returning to the winner's circle in the JpnGr.3 Niigata Kinen (2000m) in August. In his most previous race, the chestnut horse finished a disappointing 10^th to Symboli Kris S in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (JpnGR.1-2000m) on 2 November. Looks one of the outsiders here.

16 Sarafan (USA) 6 b g Lear Fan - Saraa Ree (Caro (IRE)) Trainer - Neil Drysdale 35 starts 9-9-4

Spent his juvenile and 3yo days in England where he won a Listed Race and finished within a length of Giant's Causeway in the St James's Palace Stakes (Gr.1-1600m) in 2000. Was then sold to Neil Drysdale's barn in California from where he has performed with great consistency. Had a successful time last year, the highpoint of which was a maiden Gr.1 success in the Eddie Read Handicap (1800m) from Beat Hollow, who beat him a head in the Gr.1 Arlington Million (2000m); an even tighter verdict went against him when failing by a nose to defeat Falbrav in last year's Japan Cup (Gr.1-2200m) at Nakayama, a race, albeit 200m longer, that he contests again this weekend. Has won twice in 2003 and beat subsequent Breeders' Cup Turf winner Johar into 3^rd place over 1700m in August. Races held up and best on firm ground.

13 Johar (USA) 4 b c Gone West - Windsharp (Lear Fan) Trainer - Richard Mandella 15 starts 6-4-2

Top class and very consistent colt, dead heated with the great High Chaparral (Falbrav 3^rd) in the Breeders' Cup Turf last time out. Unraced as a juvenile, Johar raced 11 times as a 3yo and won the Hollywood and Oak Tree Derbies - G1 and Gr.2 races respectively - towards the end of 2002. Sustained a shoulder injury in taking the Gr.2 San Marcos Stakes in January and was off the track for 7 months and immediately prior to his BC Turf success, he was a very good 0.5 length 2^nd to multiple Gr.1 winner Storming Home, when he set the pace; usually settled off the speed; only raced on a firm track on turf.

14 Islington (IRE) 4 b f Sadler's Wells (USA) - Hellenic (Darshaan) Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute 14 starts 6-0-4

Top class and very consistent filly, the winner of four Gr.1 events to date between 2000m and 2400m, including the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (Gr.1-2000m) last time out in California, her second attempt at this race having finished 1 length 3^rd in 2002. Took some time to come to hand during the first half of this season but she gained her second Yorkshire Oaks (Gr.1-2400m) success in August before running a cracking 3^rd in the Irish Champion Stakes, a neck and head behind High Chaparral and Falbrav. Tends to race held up and has a preference for faster going though she also acts on yielding.