Japan's Race of the Year on Sunday

The best stayers in Japan – and some of the best in the world – will do battle for that country’s biggest race at Nakayama on Sunday.

Deep Impact winning Kika ShoThe G1 Arima Kinen (2500m) boasts the biggest betting turnover of any race in the world, and this year it will clearly present a field to rival any other event. Won last year by the world’s best galloper Deep Impact, this year’s Arima Kinen field includes the next five horses to chase him to the line - Pop Rock, Daiwa Major, Dream Passport, Meisho Samson and Delta Blues

All except Daiwa Major who won the G1 Mile Championship at his last start, are coming into the race from the G1 Japan Cup. The winner of that race, Admire Moon, has been retired, but others nominated for this race after running in the Japan Cup include Vodka, Chosan, Fusaichi Pandora, Inti Raimi and Cosmo Bulk.

On the strength of his recent form, the favourite is likely to be Meisho Samson, last season’s champion three-year-old.