Be Myself

Four-year-old filly tried over variety of distances has failed to win in over a year, but has four finishes in the top three over Nakayama 1800m. First race in over 6 months. Raceday condition key.

Cuore D’Oro

Promising filly with half of 8 starts in the top three. Broke maiden 3 starts ago in early July. Second start after layoff and return to Nakayama a plus. Proven over any going.

Delicieux Reine

Started out promisingly but slumped from autumn of last year through early summer of 2022. From August improved and posted 4-3-6, but over left-handed Niigata. Broke maiden over Nakayama 1800m. Disadvantaged by chronic late break. Can do better if starts sharper.

For Oneself

Started career out slowly, but has been consistently in top finishers since early this year. Returned in late October. after 2-month rest to post 3-5-2, the most recent over Nakayama 1800m. Competitive here.

J L Flag

Has failed to make board in last 8 starts. Speed lacking. Likely not a contender.

Kaiser Leon

Off the board only once in 9 career starts, but picked up steam over last five, making the money in all and winning last out over the Sapporo 1700m. Returning after nearly 4 months. Has third over Nakayama 1800m. Promising.

Kazu Laponian

Won debut but failed to make top three in next 6 starts. Is primed with fourth (despite interference) over Nakayama 1800m on 10 December.

Kurino Python

Young gelding started in sprints at NAR tracks with back-to-back wins. Moved to JRA with no success, but has posted 9-2-4 since being given more distance. May have found sweet spot. First time at Nakayama, but may suit. Miho-based a plus.

Nasuno Koran

Hasn’t won since late 2019 at NAR track 18 starts ago. However, did surprise with two seconds early this year, over Nakayama 2400m and Hanshin 2000m. Tends to lead or run close to pace, so drop in distance a likely plus, but overall speed a concern.

Saimon Soran

Needed 8 starts to break maiden in late July. Returned heavy for poor showing in mid November. Improvement likely but speed poor. May not be competitive here.

Salute

Won on third start, in early 2018, 31 starts ago, most over similar conditions. Last finish on board more than 2 years ago. Likely not a contender.

Sei Gen

Colt with only 6 starts began career well with 4 finishes in top three, including win over Nakayama 1800m. Returned after 7 months to post 11-5, with interference a factor in earlier start. Primed. Speed not great, but front-running style suits venue.

Seychelles No Yuhi

Broke maiden 16 starts ago but failed to make top three until this fall. Now 3-3-4, with both thirds over Nakayama 1800m. Promising.

Taiki Maxwell

Miho-based colt started at 1600-1700 metres excelled in first three starts, but has posted double-digits in next three performances. First time at Nakayama and longest distance yet. Not promising.

Trois Charme

Excellent results in NAR races at Sonoda (right-handed track) but has failed to make money in 4 starts since in JRA races, all run to left. Return to clockwise track a plus, as is 119lb assigned weight, but lack of speed a bigger problem.

Vogue Matinee

Only one finish on board since winning in May 2021, 10 starts ago. First race in 7 months. Previous finishes over Nakayama 1800m not encouraging.