G2 Nikkei Sho was almost over before it had began, as Ask Victor more dwelt badly in the stalls. As his only serious rival, the race was left to Titleholder who sauntered to the finish line unchallenged, marking an eight length victory and punching his ticket to the G1 Tenno Sho Spring.

Titleholder didn't enjoy the best fall-winter campaign last year, placing 11th in the Arc and 9th in te Arima Kinen. Kazuo Yokoyama commented on his comeback, "I'm happy to have been able to show the real Titleholder. We struggled at the end of the last year and now we've won the trial race by eight lengths. We have time now until Tenno Sho Spring, so we will prepare him for the big stage and I hope everything will go according to plan."

Finishing in second was Boccherini, whilst Diastima came in third. Ask Victor More could not recover from his slow start and finished ninth.