1

Kitasan Black

Never missed to place since last year's G2 St. Lite Kinen in September.  He claimed his first G1 title in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) in October 2015.  Scored his second title for the G1 race in the Tenno Sho Spring in May, he was sent to the favourite for the first time in his career and justified his favouritism in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) latest. Usually set the pace but can sit handy.

2

Biche

Sent to the race favourite in the G1 Shuka Sho but faded in the last furlong and finished disappointing tenth.  According to the trainer, the three-year-old filly is going to appreciate the 2400m at Tokyo where she finished third in the Japanese Oaks.  She has a great closing speed.

3

Gold Actor

Claimed the first G1 title in the Arima Kinen last December and took fifth straight win in the G2 Nikkei Sho (2500m) in March.  He finished a disappointing 12th in the Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in May.  Returned from four-month layoff, he came off a great win in the G2 All Comers (2200m) in September.  With two wins in five starts at Tokyo, he has no concern about the track. 

4

Rouge Buck

In the Tenno Sho Autumn last time, the four-year-old filly traveled rear and switched to the outer route for a clear path to finish seventh.  She has had a short vacation afterwards.  She took four wins over 1800m but finished second in the Japanese Oaks over 2400m at Tokyo in 2015.  She has a brilliant closing speed and must have a high potential in the field.

5

Iquitos

German contender. Clinched his maiden G1 victory in the Grosser Preis Von Baden (2400m) in September and gave his 73-year-old trainer Hans-Jurgen Groschel the first G1 title.  Races rear for a late run. 

6

Last Impact

Winless since the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) in December 2014, but finished good second in this race last year.  Better performance at Meydan and finished third in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) in March.  He has a staying power and his strong stretch run should suit the track. 

7

One And Only

Returns to favourite course over 2400m at Tokyo where this five-year-old horse claimed the Japanese Derby in 2014.  His losing streak since the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai in 2014 has yet to end.  He was eighth latest in the G2 Copa Republica Argentina (2500m) in which the pace was slow and he needs more pace. 

8

Erupt

Erupt had four wins in a row in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris at three but ended his winning streak in the G2 Prix Niel when he placed fourth.  In 2016, he finished ninth to A Shin Hikari in the G1 Prix d'Ispahan in May and finished second, fifth, and third in the subsequent graded races respectively.  He returned to the winner's circle for the first time in 15 months in the G1 Canadian International Stakes (2400m) on 16 October latest.  Finished sixth to Shonan Pandora in last year's Japan Cup. 

9

Dee Majesty

Finished fourth behind Satono Diamond in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) in October after winning the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas).  He showed strong late kick from behind.  No track worries.    

10

Tosen Basil

With three wins in a row, the four-year-old clocked the fastest time over last three furlongs in 33.1 seconds and won the high class October Stakes (2400m) latest.  Settles back.

11

Fame Game

Showed strong closing speed when 5th in the G2 Copa Republica Argentina (2500m) on 6 November latest.  He took three of his five career wins at Tokyo and this course should suit him. 

12

Sounds Of Earth

Has had six runner-up in the graded races including the G1 Kikuka Sho and the G1 Arima Kinen.  Coming off a fourth-place in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) in October when he showed strong late kick, he has yet to grab the G1 title.    Races hold up, sometimes better than midfield. 

13

Hit The Target

Disappointing 13th in last year's Japan Cup and Arima Kinen respectively. Third in the G2 Meguro Kinen as his seasonal debut, however unplaced in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) and the G2 Sapporo Kinen (2000m) in August.  He came off a fifth-place in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten in October last time.  He has a lot of staying power, usually settles back.

14

Rainbow Line

Eighth in G1 Japanese Derby in May, subsequently a neck third behind Maurice in 2nd in G2 Sapporo Kinen in August.  He nailed Air Spinel to finish second in the Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) latest.  Right handed course should be more suitable for him but the colt returned fresh from layoff and is in good form.  Settles back.

15

Nightflower

Another German runner who finished eleventh in this race last year. Showed better performance over 2400m this season - second in the G1 Grosser Preis Von Berlin and G1 Grosser Preis Von Baden respectively, and she came off a win in the G1 Preis Von Europa (2400m) in September latest.  Hold up runner.

16

Real Steel

He claimed the first G1 title in the Dubai Turf (1800m) in March.  He finished behind Maurice in the G1 Tenno Sho Autumn (2000m) last time. The second race up from the four-month layoff must be his advantage.  Hold-up runner.

17

Cheval Grand

Took his first big title in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) in March and finished good third in the Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in May.  Returned from the ninth-place in the Takarazuka Kinen, he showed strong performance over the first time left-handed course in the G2 Copa Republica Argentina (2500m) on 6 November latest.