1

Mikki Swallow

Top-class four-year-old with three wins from eight starts from 1800m to 3000m. Rounded out the 2017 season with a 6th to Kiseki in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) but bounced back from that below-par run in this term’s G2 American Jockey Club Cup (2200m) in January, finishing 2nd to Danburite. Hold-up runner and no track worries.

2

Satono Diamond

Talented horse with seven wins from 13 starts between 1800m and 3200m. The 2016 G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger, 3000m) winner grabbed his success in the subsequent G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) that same term. Disappointing finish in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when 15th to Enable last year before finishing 3rd in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) on 11 March. Hold-up runner.

3

Yamakatsu Ace

Seven wins from 29 starts, 4 over 2000m. Scored G2 wins in the New Zealand Trophy (1600m) in 2015 and back-to-back Kinko Sho (2000m) wins in 2016 & 2017. Fought on well when 1.25L 3rd behind Kitasan Black in this race last year. Solid 4th, though failed to win the race for the third time, in the G2 Kinko Sho in March latest.

4

Cheval Grand

Very consistent but had always fallen short at the top level before he finally landed his first G1 success in the Japan Cup (2400m) last November. This is his first race since finishing 3rd to the now-retired Kitasan Black in the G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) last December. Hold-up runner. Tested only on firm and good ground.

5

Persian Knight

Four wins from 10 starts from 1600m to 2400m, and only once off the board. Narrow 2nd to stablemate Al Ain in last year’s G1 Satsuki Sho (2000m) in April and peaked with a win in the G1 Mile Championship two back. Finished 5th to Win Bright in the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) in February latest. Hold-up runner. Relishes a fast track.

6

Smart Layer

Consistent galloper with 9 wins from 29 starts from 1400m to 2400m. Solid 5th to Satono Crown in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase in 2016. Hit the board 5 times in 6 starts in 2017, including a win in the G2 Kyoto Daishoten (2400m) and a smart 5th to Time Warp in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup last year.

7

Gold Actor

Nine wins from 22 starts. Peaked with a victory in the 2015 G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) but stayed on well for 3rd in that race in 2016 and 2nd in the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) in June last year. Fresh from a seven-month lay-off, he disappointed when 11th in the G2 American Jockey Club Cup (2200m) in January. Usually sits handy or close to speed.

8

Al Ain

Four wins from nine starts including the G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) last year. Rounded out the season with a 7th to Kiseki in the G1 Kikuka Sho (Japanese St. Leger) in October and was not beaten far when 1L 2nd in the G2 Kyoto Kinen (2200m) in February. Settles better than midfield.

9

Triomphe

Five wins from 12 starts and hasn’t missed the board in his last nine starts. Won three on the bounce, including two lower-class races over this distance in November and January. Scored his first graded stakes win in the G3 Kokura Daishoten (1800m) latest. Settles close to the speed.

10

Satono Noblesse

Six wins from 34 starts, including three G3 wins over 2000m, the latest being in the Naruo Kinen in June, 2016. Disappointing in 3 starts last term, including two poor efforts when accompanying stablemate Satono Diamond to France for his Arc campaign. Decent seasonal debut when 0.5L 2nd to Suave Richard in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) on 11 March. Usually settles midfield, can also lead.

11

Win Bright

Consistent galloper with 5 wins from 12 starts. Won 2 of his last 3 starts, including the G3 Fukushima Kinen (2000m) in November. Smart effort for 2nd in the G3 Nakayama Kimpai (2000m) in January before adding to his tally with the G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) win latest. Hold-up runner but can track the leaders.

12

Yamakatsu Raiden

Five wins from 33 starts on both turf and dirt. Won a 2600m Listed event at Sapporo in September, 2016. His recent 8 starts have all been against graded company but he has placed only once, that being a 3rd in the G3 Hakodate Kinen (2000m) last July. Led but faded late when 6th in the G2 Hanshin Daishoten (3000m) latest.  

13

Masahaya Dream

Five wins from 26 starts between 1400m to 3000m. After winning a 2000m upper-class stakes race last August, he followed up with four starts at graded level. He finished 11th, 7th and 9th in the first three, before peaking with a 5th in the G3 Kokura Daishoten (1800m) in February latest. Hold-up runner.

14

Danburite

Talented 4yo produced a stylish two-length win in the G2 American Jockey Club Cup (2200m) in January and has not been seen since. The four turns at Hanshin is not an issue. Usually settles better than midfield or sits handy.

15

Suave Richard

Four wins from 9 starts and missed the board only once. Strong 2nd to top colt Rey de Oro in the G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) before taking the G2 Copa Republica Argentina (2500m) in last November. Shown improvement with a decisive victory in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) latest. Settles midfield or better. Tested only on firm and good ground.

16

Maitres d’Art

This consistent galloper has recorded six wins from 16 starts between 1500m and 2400m. From disappointing 12th as favourite in the 1600m G3 Sekiya Kinen last summer, he bounced back to take his first stakes success in the G3 Chunichi Shimbun Hai (2000m) in December. Beaten 8 lengths into 8th to Suave Richard in the G2 Kinko Sho (2000m) in March. Settles back and untried on yielding and soft ground.