Arma Top End

Has best three 3rds from 13 starts since his only win. Improved last out on 20 March. Slow from gate and finished length and a half off winner in third. Tends to race just rear of midfield. Needs bit more speed to win but can finish in top three.

Everyone Black

Highly consistent colt has missed board only 4 times in career 13 starts. Consistently in money and coming off  6 March second place in Hanshin 2000m. Good speed. Promising.

Great Basin

Has only one start over dirt from total 22. Returning to dirt for first time in 7 starts. Finished 9th of 14 in Hanshin 2000m in June 2020. Lacks speed. Not promising.

Herschel

Only win came in January 2019. Has best five 4ths in 11 starts since, including 5th last out on 21 February over Hanshin 2000m. Lacks speed but could make money with right trip.

Lonicera

10-4-8 in last 3 starts, all over 1800m. Returning from 4-month spell. Won last June over Hanshin 1800m over sloppy track. Worth a wager with rain forecast for Sunday.

Meisho Mochizuki

Has been switched from dirt to turf with no success, then moved to NAR, where notched 3 wins and 3 thirds primarily over 1400m. Now returning to JRA. Was 5-3-4 in first 3 starts of career over 1900-2000m dirt at Koyto and Hanshin. Wild card.

Monsieur Pyro

Has 2 wins at local NAR racing returning to JRA ranks. Finished 14th of 15 on 16 January over Kokura 1700m. Condition on raceday key but likely not competitive.

Nishino Trans Am

Has a 7-2-6 record this year in the 1900-2400m range. The 2nd was the first time in the money since January 2018. Last out was over the Hanshin 2000m on 21 February. Worth a wager while he’s looking good.

Omega Deluxe

Going back to dirt after 3 starts since November over turf brought little success. His 3 dirt starts from a total 9 yielded a 2-10-1 but first time over the Hanshin 2000m. Wild card.

Thousand Smile

Raced predominately over 1800m, being given extra furlong for first time. Has only 3 starts in top three (all over Hanshin 1800m) from 11 career starts. Is returning to track for first time since August 2020. Longest layoff yet, but has won after 3 months off. Races from rear. Extra distance a plus. Good late kick but likely not competitive here.

Tu Puedes

Best a 4th in 17 starts since win in June 2019. Has been switched from turf to dirt repeatedly with only one win over Hanshin 2000m dirt. Most recent starts were 8-5 over dirt 2000m, both at Hanshin. Tends to run on or close to pace. Not promising but could make money with right trip.

Yanyano Kassai

Moved to the NAR local racing circuit last fall after poor results, he returned in February to post a surprising 10-3-3, including a third over the Nakayama 2400m on 14 March. His 10th place was over the Hanshin 2000m. Runs on the pace and can handle any going. Worth a wager with present form.