Second pick Hokko Tarumae won the Champions Cup, the new incarnation of the Japan Cup Dirt, avenging his two previous third place finishes in 2012 and 2013.

It was his first JRA G1 title and his sixth G1 victory overall including the National Association of Racing races.

After his 16th in the Dubai World Cup, he was sidelined for seven months due to a stress-induced colitis followed by muscle pains in his hip. He was fourth in his comeback race, the JBC Classic, in November.

This win marked his trainer Katsuichi Nishiura's sixth JRA G1 victory following his win in the 2006 Shuka Sho with Kawakami Princess and jockey Hideaki Miyuki's fifth JRA G1 win following his 2008 Takamatsunomiya Kinen title, also claimed at Chukyo, with Fine Grain.

Hokko Tarumae¸ ridden by Hideaki Miyuki, with whom he has been partnering in all his starts but one since his fifth career start, rushed out behind Kurino Star O to press the pace in second.

Third-choice Roman Legend travelled wide from stall 12 and gradually moved up through the backstretch.

Hokko Tarumae remained close to the frontrunner, took the front around at 400m and duelled strongly along the stretch with Roman Legend who edged up on the outside.

The Katsuichi Nishiura-trained dirt specialist, managed to pull away 200m out and although challenged by Namura Victor in the last strides, retained his powerful drive up to the wire.

Eighth choice Namura Victor angled out after coming into the homestretch, passing Roman Legend before the wire and crossing the finish a half length behind the winner.

Race favorite Copano Rickey was forced to travel from the rear after a slow break and turned wide but failed to respond and finished 12th.