Japan may not have an established star miler at the moment – certainly compared to recent winners of the Yasuda Kinen which include Maurice and Gran Alegria, but Sunday promises to be a competitive affair.

Last year's winner Jantar Mantar isn't here having finished down the track in the Champions Mile at Sha Tin in April but the runner-up Gaia Force does line up a remarkable fourth straight attempt at the Yasuda Kinen.

The big grey has had 11 starts in Group One races but hasn't been able to capture that elusive win at the top level – second to Jantar Mantar in both this race and the Mile Championship last year, having finished fourth in the two years prior.

He made his reappearance for the year at Meydan in the Dubai Turf and just battled into sixth behind Godolphin superstar Ombudsman – a slightly disappointing effort given he was second favourite for the race.

Nevertheless, his Japanese mile form is very strong and if he does bring his best in what looks a potentially thinner edition, it could be Gaia Force's day.

Another strong challenger is Trovatore who has found a rich vein of form, winning consecutive Group 3 races at Tokyo in good style, overhauling Group 1 winning mare Stellenbosch over 1800m when last seen. Once again, this will take more winning but he finds a winnable year.

One of the horses with arguably the most talent in the race is Panja Tower, who was a Group 1 NHK Mile Cup winner at three but hasn't quite gone on with it – fifth in Australia and Saudi Arabia before resuming in the Takamatsunomiya Kinen behind top sprinter Satono Reve.

He stuck on well there over 1200m and should be much better suited over the mile if he can find his best, but the established horse at this level is Gaia Force who won't get a better opportunity to break through for his maiden Group One victory.

Photo: JRA