It used to be called the Japan Cup Dirt.

This edition will be run at Chukyo on Sunday over 1800m on the dirt and for Saturday's entertainment we have the Sports Nippon Sho Stayers G2 over 3600m at Nakayama.

Golden Snap, a son of Gold Ship, heads the call on 3.7 with Sakai riding.  Chevalier Rose is next best on 4.5, Iron Barrows who we fancy is on 4.9 and Mixology on 6.9.   Those are the four in single figures.

On Sunday at Chukyo the Cup is G1 and last year's winner Lemon Pop is at evens to repeat the wins of the last two years.  He was the Dirt Horse of the Year last year.  Sakai is on board.  Wilson Tesoro was second last year and is on 6.5 with Kawada riding and one we like Gaia Force is on 7.5.  He was second in the February Stakes on the dirt and then 4th in the Yasuda Kinen proving that he can do well on either surface.  7.5 is tempting.  Crown Pride who has won the Korean Cup in both 2023 and 2024 is also in the mix on 10.8 and for a real roughie Dura Erede will have Ryan Moore in the irons and is on 48.2.