Happy Valley 22 April 2020

review and form for the meeting at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Selections by Declan Shuster.

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, April 22, 2020)

Race 1: #6 Kwai Chung Elite, #2 Aurora Steed, #11 Show Mission, #7 Fire And Gold
Race 2: #8 Happy Tango, #11 Oversubscribed, #2 Speedy Luck, #5 Hero Time
Race 3: #6 London Hall, #8 Above, #7 Vincy, #4 Stimulation
Race 4: #9 Electric Lightning, #5 Charity Grand, #7 Invaluable, #2 Star Majestic
Race 5: #9 Farm Bumper, #1 Mehboob, #5 Winning Ways, #11 Look Eras
Race 6: #7 Snow Airjet, #2 Tangmere, #1 Charity Wings, #6 Blooming Spirit
Race 7: #8 Regency Poet, #4 Lucky Quality, #6 Flying Godspell, #2 Happy Good Guys
Race 8: #1 Dancing Fighter, #2 Golden Dash, #3 Beauty Amigo, #7 Amazing Kiwi
Race 9: #7 Classic Unicorn, #3 Allied Agility, #4 Larson, #8 Explosive Witness

Race 1: Tulip Handicap

#6 Kwai Chung Elite is winless. Although this is the case he might now be down his level and the booking of Zac Purton commands respect. #2 Aurora Steed gets the services of the in-form Chad Schofield who is fresh of a Sunday treble. He’s drawn to get the gun run and if he can use the good gate to his advantage, then he’s a winning chance. #11 Show Mission mixes his form but has gone close on a number of occasions. He’s competitive in this grade and it won’t be too long before he adds another win to his tally. #7 Fire And Gold won well three starts ago. He’s drawn well for Antoine Hamelin who has struck early in his contract with four wins.

Race 2: Jonquil Handicap (2nd Section)

#8 Happy Tango is lightly raced but has shown glimpses of ability across his short four-start career. He put in a solid performance last start and with further improvement on top of that run, he can take this out. #11 Oversubscribed is becoming a costly conveyance consistently going under as a single figure chance. Still, He’s holding his condition well and with no weight on his back he is a leading player yet again. #2 Speedy Luck is winless, but, on his side is the fact that he has had 10 starts in Hong Kong and gets a good gate this time around. #5 Hero Time gets Zac Purton up. He’s a two-time course and distance winner who is capable of adding a third.

Race 3: Heather Handicap

#6 London Hall is shooting for a hat-trick of wins which he is capable of securing here. He’s gone to a new level now getting up over longer trips and the step up to 2200m is of no concern. #8 Above is another who has gone to a new level stretching out over further. He’s found another suitable race here and although he faces Class 3 for the first time, he does get a handy draw to offset this. The rain affected ground clearly brought out the best in him last start and if he’s come out of that run well, then he’s going to be at his competitive best once again. #4 Stimulation is capable, he just needs to offset the awkward gate.

Race 4: Marigold Handicap (1st Section)

#9 Electric Lightning turned his form around to grab second last start. He can go one better with that performance under his belt, especially from the inside gate. #5 Charity Grand comes into this with three runs under his belt. He’s an ever-improving galloper who with further improvement can test this bunch. #7 Invaluable is still searching for his first win. He may find himself a bit far back with plenty of work to do but still, if he gets a race run to suit then he’s going in the finish. #2 Star Majestic is the veteran of the field. He’s drawn to get the right run.

Race 5: Iris Handicap

#9 Farm Bumper is racing in career-best form. He won well two starts ago and last start ran gamely to finish a narrow second, beaten by a head. He’s drawn well and this contest looks more than suitable. #1 Mehboob is consistent. He’s yet to finish outside of the top three this term which does include one win and he’s a leading chance here if he can put his best foot forward. #5 Winning Ways took a while to finally breakthrough. He lines up again here and ins his favour is the retention of Zac Purton, who takes the reins again here. #11 Look Eras gets in light and if he gets his own way in the lead then he’s capable of clinging on for some prize money.

Race 6: Marigold Handicap (2nd Section)

#7 Snow Airjet narrowly missed last start and if he manages to put that run in again he could go on with it. He’s winless and although this is the case, he appears to get favours to suit here and with even luck he’s the one to beat. #2 Tangmere finally got his win last start. He might have finally figured it all out and with Zac Purton sticking aboard he rates as the main danger, especially as he remains in the same class following that success. #1 Charity Wings is another last-start winner. He’s getting up in the ratings and has to carry top-weight but still, should be competitive. #6 Blooming Spirit is looking for his third win from his last four starts. He’s well weighted and bears close watching.

Race 7: Jonquil Handicap (1st Section)

#8 Regency Poet has shown glimpses of ability. The draw is slightly awkward but he’s more than likely not going to settle worse than midfield and with a clean run in the straight, he should be able to have the last crack at them. #4 Lucky Quality gets Zac Purton up for the first time. He rattled home for a close-up defeat last start and he’s expected to perform well here. #6 Flying Godspell is racing well. He’s had seven runs this term including one win, so he should be fit and ready to run a bold race once again. #2 Happy Good Guys fought gamely last start. He can bounce back with the right run from gate two.

Race 8: Crocus Handicap

#1 Dancing Fighter struggled from the wide gate last start, fading to finish a lacklustre eighth. Still, he can put that performance behind as his form prior his far superior to that and if he manages to run up to his best here, he is the one to beat. #2 Golden Dash has soundness issues throughout his entire career. He’s a three-time winner who returns for his first run back this campaign. He’s looked sound in his trials and bears close watching here. #3 Beauty Amigo is fairly limited but he has shown that it’s only a matter of time before he goes on with this. #7 Amazing Kiwi is next best.

Race 9: Cornflower Handicap

#7 Classic Unicorn was undefeated across two outings last season, however, has returned this for two defeats. Still, he clearly has ability and he be might worth taking a chance on here, especially if he is to use the inside gate to jump, run and try and pinch this. #3 Allied Agility is capable and is already a two-time winner this campaign. He can continue his rise through the grades. #4 Larson got off the mark nicely last start. He’s on the up and deserves respect. #8 Explosive Witness is next best.

Chad Schofield is a man in form and in demand and he heads into Wednesday’s (22 April) nine-race card at Happy Valley as one of the only two jockeys with a full book of rides.

Schofield has bagged 11 wins from the last eight race meetings and currently sits only four victories away from equalling his personal best tally of 38 wins in a season. With 24 meetings left in the season, a new personal best is within sight.

“It’s been flowing along nicely – I have felt I’ve been getting better rides and better support and from that comes winners and from winners comes confidence,” Schofield said.

The remarkable stat though, is that of the jockeys ranked within the top nine, Schofield has had the least amount of rides, 330 in fact, but finds himself in fifth position in the jockeys’ championship, 13 wins clear of sixth place.

“We’re going well and hopefully it can continue right through to the end of the season,” Schofield said.

The highlight of his midweek book is his renewed association with the John Moore-trained Above (120lb) in the Class 3 Heather Handicap (2200m). With championship leading jockey Joao Moreira sidelined due to suspension, Moore will utilise the red-hot Schofield and the pair will break from gate four in a field of 10.

The Tavistock gelding cruised to a six-length win last start at Sha Tin over 2000m and will look for his second course and distance score at the Valley tomorrow night.

“His last win was super impressive – he’s a horse who seems to have taken a bit of time to hit his straps and mature and he looks like he’s in very good form off his last start win,” Schofield said.

A four-time winner now from 19 starts, the New Zealand-bred took 11 runs to break his Hong Kong maiden, but Moore credits his consistency this term to his development.

“He’s getting better with age, which is typical of the Tavistock breed. He’s doing everything right going into the race and staying is his game,” Moore said.

The Privately Purchased Griffin arrived in Hong Kong rated 52 but struggled to a career-low 33, but maturity has seen him kick on to a mark of 68.

“He started in Class 5 and in the beginning we thought we might have a few issues in respect to talent but that wasn’t to be, especially as you have to give the Tavistock breed time and with time he got better and better,” Moore said.

“He’s looking promising especially for the development of a nice stayer for the future because I think he will hold his own in a higher class than this.”

Following his 12-point rating rise win last start, the four-year-old now faces Class 3 for the first time.

“He’s into Class 3 now which is always tough but 2200 (metres) is his distance, the further the better and with a nice galloping weight and off his last win you’d think he’d be hard to beat again,” Schofield said.

Against Above is stablemate Beauty Happy (119lb), but he also faces another stayer on the rise, the David Hall-trained London Hall (122lb) who is looking to notch a hat-trick of wins and his first score at the city circuit.

Matthew Chadwick will partner the five-year-old again and the pair will break from gate one.

“Hopefully the firmer ground will help us instead of Above but I don’t think Happy Valley will be a problem,” Chadwick said.

“We’ve drawn gate one, so it’s a nice gate to draw at Happy Valley and we’ll ride him accordingly – wherever he is happy and comfortable.”

The He’s Remarkable gelding is a four-time winner at Sha Tin.

“I’m not sure how the pace will unfold but it could be interesting – he’s a very easy going horse, so whatever happens shouldn’t really bother him,” Chadwick said.

Also on the card is the Caspar Fownes-trained Dancing Fighter who is looking to bounce back in the Class 3 Crocus Handicap (1200m). The Zoustar gelding struggled to eighth last time after missing the break, but this time will start from gate two in the field of 11.

“He gets his chance to jump and lead or sit behind from the draw, it doesn’t matter, but he’s well and I think he gets his chance – hopefully we can win,” Fownes said.

“He’s a Class 2 horse – he’s definitely got some points in hand so hopefully we can just keep climbing the ratings slowly, he’ll carry a big weight (133lb) but from gate two he’s going to get his chance.”

Wednesday’s nine-race card at Happy Valley kicks off at 6.45pm with the Class 5 Tulip Handicap (1200m).

4) 7 Invaluable
6) 6 Blooming Spirit
7) 5 Jolly Convergence
9) 5 Aquila

We are racing at Happy Valley this Wednesday where we have a 9-race card getting underway at 11.45am with all the action live on Sky Sports Racing. Races Three (12.45pm), Eight (3.15pm) and Nine (3.50pm) are all Class 3 contests that look competitive on paper.

Before we launch into the selections just a reminder that this coming Sunday will see one of the highlights of the racing calendar when Sha Tin hosts Champions day which will be live on Sky Sports Racing.

It’s a shame that the Internationals wont be able to attend this year, but with three Group 1s, The Chairman’s Sprint, the QEII Cup and the Champions Mile, featuring the likes of Aethero, Exultant and the pride of Hong Kong, Beauty Generation, this is a meeting not to be missed.

Hopefully we can build a bank for Sundays action by finding a few winners at Happy Valley, where title seeking Zac Purton, who looks to have strong chances across the card, will be hoping to capitalise on an absent Joao Moreira who is serving a one-day ban



My value each-way bet, JOLLY CONVERGENCE, comes up in race 7 on the card, the Class 4 Jonquil Handicap (2.45pm) over 6 furlongs.

The Richard Gibson 7yo has been around for a while and whilst he doesn’t win out of turn, he’s an honest type who is more than capable of winning a race like this when he gets the right set up, and I think he may just have that today.

He goes off a mark of 51, and with the 7lb claim for Alfred Chan he effectively runs off a mark of 44. When you consider last season he won off marks of 53 and 59 (not to mention 69 the season prior), then he looks dangerously handicapped, especially given a good effort last time out when not beaten far over course and distance. The race maps perfectly for the selection who should sit somewhere around mid division, and provided he has a clear shot at them in the straight, don’t be surprised if JOLLY CONVERGENCE defies market expectations.

BETTING ON HONG KONG RACING
Punters can bet into the Hong Kong pools online through Tote.co.uk, Ladbrokes.com and Coral.co.uk.

My Nap on the card is for DANCING FIGHTER, who runs in race 8, the Class 3 Crocus Handicap (3.15pm), over 6 furlongs.

The four-year-old from the Caspar Fownes yard needs to bounce back from what looked a disappointing effort last time when a well beaten favourite. But I’m prepared to put the pen through the run as he missed the break and found himself in the second half of the field for the very first time in seven career runs, and then managed to find trouble at the 500m mark.

Prior to that he hadn’t been outside of the top two in six stars, including three victories, two of those being over course and distance.

The selection does go off top weight today, but he just looks like a horse destined for higher grades, thus he should be able to win a Class 3 from the top of the handicap.

Finally, at last he’s drawn a perfect gate in 2, keeping in mind that he has recorded two wins and a second (to a horse who recently won in Class 2 company) over course & distance from stalls 10-11-10-9, thus the selection should get the run of the race somewhere on the front end.

BETTING ON HONG KONG RACING
Punters can bet into the Hong Kong pools online through Tote.co.uk, Ladbrokes.com and Coral.co.uk.

My Next Best (NB) on the card, ALLIED AGILITY, goes in Race 9, the Class 3 Cornflower Handicap (3.50pm), over 5 furlongs.

The selection should be a decent price given he was just over 2 lengths behind the likely favourite, Larson (4), last time. But on that occasion he somehow found himself planted wide from a low draw with no cover and in all fairness, the selection did well to finish as close as he did, plus he’s 6lb better off with the winner.

He has drawn in 7 and is once is again on the inside of Larson, but with the very much in form Antoine Hamelin taking over today, hopefully the selection can grab a tail behind the leaders with some cover. The Ricky Yiu runner has a good overall record having won three of his ten starts, and although they have all been over the straight course at Sha Tin (which includes wins over Larson and Baltic Whisper), he’s had very little luck in his two spins at the city track and I can see no reason why he shouldn’t be as effective over the minimum trip when going around a bend.

REMAINDER OF THE CARD
Race 1: Class 5 Tulip Handicap (11.45am), over 6 furlongs.

We start off with a tricky little contest where the entire field have managed to win just the 6 local races from 207 starts. E Generation is the class dropper and will contest a Class 5 for the first time, but has shown very little to date.

KWAI CHUNG ELITE is likely to be popular in the betting given Zac Purton has been booked to ride. The Richard Gibson 4yo was placed over 7 furlongs at Sha Tin last time when sporting blinkers and a tongue strap for the first time. On that occasion he was in front half way up the stretch but didn’t see out the trip.

The selection drops back to 6 furlongs here and its worth noting that he’s only been to Happy Valley once this season when placed over this trip off a 5lb higher mark, and in a race that looks there for the taking, KWAI CHUNG ELITE looks the sensible play.


Race 2: Class 4 Jonquil Handicap (12.15pm) over 6 furlongs.

Master Albert is the only one here with recent winning form but goes off top-weight from the widest gate in 12, and that’s not a combination that usually comes out on top is these type or races.

OVERSUBSCRIBED is a 4yo from the David Hall yard who doesn’t have a lot of miles on the clock and there could be a bit more to come. He’s only had the nine starts and been placed in three of his last five, including over course and distance last time out when having only his second try at the trip.

Although in the same grade this looks a lessor race and even though he’s on the same mark today he carries 2lb less, and with Mathew Poon claiming 2lbs, the selection has a featherweight to carry. Look for the selection to go from the front (or at least go forward) like he did last time.



Race 3: Class 3 Heather Handicap (12.45pm), over 1m3f.

Last start winners LONDON HALL and Above look the two to concentrate on in this. Above couldn’t have been any more impressive than he was last time out when he destroyed a Class 4 field to the tune of 6 lengths over 10 furlongs, and based on that effort the extra furlong wont pose a problem.

However LONDON HALL and Above met here in February with the selection coming out on top by a length. They sat close to each other that day, went for their runs together and both hit the line strongly, and the selection is 1lb better off today.

LONDON HALL has subsequently come out and won at this level whilst Above was carving up a Class 4. I don’t think there will be much between them again, but based on their previous meeting (when 1 and 2 in the betting), I can see no reason why David Hall's 5yo wont come out on top again.



Race 4: Class 4 Marigold Handicap (1.15pm), over 1 mile (1650m).

LIGHTNING STEED can be a tough customer to catch but his recent Happy Valley form has been decent and this race maps to set up perfectly for him. Caspar Fownes 5yo has failed in two of his last three spins but they were both at Sha Tin, and although he was a 5 furlong winner early in his career, the 1650m around here now seems to be his best trip.

At his last four spins over course & distance his form reads 2-5-3-1, with three of those efforts coming from high draws, which is far from ideal for a horse who likes to sit forward.

From the draw in 4 over the 1650m here at Happy Valley and with Zac Purton booked for the first time this season, LIGHTNING STEED looks a solid chance in an open looking contest.



Race 5: Class 4 Iris Handicap (1.45pm), over 5 furlongs.

WINNING WAYS will be the selection, and although you don’t want to be making too many excuses for a horse who only has one win next to his name from 24 starts, it's fair to say he was very unlucky last time over course & distance.

On that occasion he got strung up behind a few horses in the straight and went to the line under a hold. He was just under 2 lengths behind the runner up, Farm Bumper (9), who he was next to at the time and although its difficult to say with certainty who would have come out on top, he definitely should have been right there at the finish.

He meets Farm Bumper 2lb better off today, and with the other form runner Mehboob some 14lbs higher in the handicap than his last win due to his consistency, WINNING WAYS from the 4 gate gets a golden opportunity to atone for a luckless defeat last time.



Race 6: Class 4 Marigold Handicap (2.15pm), over 1 mile (1650m)

SNOW AIRJET looks worth a play here based on his effort last time out when runner up behind Blooming Spirit (6). On that occasion he may have been a tad unlucky as he was momentarily held up in the straight, and given that he was only beaten half a length and that he’s 3lb better off today, he looks a decent chance of turning the form around.

The Ricky Yiu runner is lightly raced 4yo (four runs to date), thus he’s entitled to improve further. The draw in 9 probably isn’t that bad as there’s not that much speed here and I suspect they will look to grab a forward position, and provided he can get across without having to gas early, the son of Rip Van Winkle should be right there at the finish.

WEDNESDAY'S PLACEPOT
Wednesdays Tote Placepot will be races 4 through to 9. We will be using our Nap and Next Best as bankers and swinging wider in the other 4 legs. All up we will be playing 81 combinations (3x3x3x3x1x1), which will cost £8.10 for a 10p stake and so on. Good luck.

LEG 1: 2 STAR MAJESTIC, 6 LIGHTENING STEED, 7 INVALUABLE
LEG 2: 5 WINNING WAYS, 7 DAILY DELIGHT, 9 FARM BUMPER
LEG 3: 2 TANGMERE, 6 BLOOMING SPIRIT, 7 SNOW AIRJET
LEG 4: 2 HAPPY GOOD GUYS, 5 JOLLY CONVERGENCE, 10 DESTINE JEWELLERY
LEG 5: 1 DANCING FIGHTER
LEG 6: 3 ALLIED AGILITY

Anthony Delpech Best Bets

Anthony Delpech is a three-time South African jockey champion, and four-time winner of the Vodacom Durban July. He rode in Hong Kong for five years, winning many races including five Group 1 races.

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Happy Valley (Hong Kong)
Wednesday 22nd April 2020

Race 3 – 13:45

8 – ABOVE (4)
Trainer: J Moore
Jockey: C Schofield

AD Comments: “Won very easy last time out. Should win again.”

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Race 4 – 14:15

9 – ELECTRIC LIGHTNING (2)
Trainer: David Ferraris
Jockey: Karis Teetan

AD Comments: “Drawn well. Just got beat last time. Could redeem itself.”

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Race 5 – 14:45

5 – WINNING WAYS (4)
Trainer: C S Shum
Jockey: Zac Purton

AD Comments: “Very unlucky last start. Couldn’t get a run.”

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Race 7 – 15:45

2 - HAPPY GOOD GUYS (2)
Trainer: P F Yiu
Jockey: C Y Ho

AD Comments: “Very unlucky last start. Never got a run.”

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Race 8 – 16:15

1 – DANCING FIGHTER (2)
Trainer: C Fownes
Jockey: Zac Purton

AD Comments: “Missed the start last time. Put a line through that run. Should win this time out."

ONE PER RACE FOR HAPPY VALLEY HONG KONG WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL BY WARREN LENFERNA
The starter will be looking to press the button to start the first race at 12H45pm South African time and we have nine races to look forward to.
Race 1: Starting the meeting off with a Class 5 event and it looks tough. Let us see if we can get the ball rolling with some each way value with John Size and the very in form Chad Schofield. AURORA STEED (2), I feel is way better than his last run suggests and I am giving him another chance.
Race 2: MASTER ALBERT (1) is drawn deep and carries joint top weight. His last run was an unplaced one but he was not far off at all. He did win two in a row before that and is defiantly one for the shortlist and in my book one with a bright winning chance. Karis Teetan will be a huge help in the saddle.
Race 3: LONDON HALL (6) starts from gate 1 and looks to have an undeniable hat trick chance. Some cheek could come from Above (.
Race 4: ELECTRIC LIGHTNING (9) takes a drop in class and gets a very good draw. His last run was eye catching and he can score here!
Race 5: WINNING WAYS (5) finished unplaced last time but not far off the winner. His overall form is solid enough to give him a bright chance. Cheek can be expected from Farm Bumper (9).
Race 6: SUMSTREETSUMWHERE (5) gets the services of rider Mo who is no stranger to the winner’s area. Trainer Ho’s charge is seldom far off the action and today could get it right. Each way value selection.
Race 7: HAPPY GOOD GUYS (2) is drawn well and has the overall form to go close to winning this. He is selected to bounce right back to winning ways. Flying Godspell (6) could provide plenty of cheek all the way home.
Race 8: PING HAI GALAXY (5) should be able to finish in the first four but in saying that, it is a Class 3 and looks a competitive race.
Race 9: CALIFORNIA ARCHER (10) is drawn deep but gets Teetan. He can go close to winning and is my first pick but I am wary of Larson (4) as he took off late last time to win and win well.

COMMENTS FROM DAVID FERRARIS ON HIS RUNNERS FOR HAPPY VALLEY WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL
I would like to take this opportunity to thank ex South African trainer David Ferraris for his contribution to our page and our followers.
It was great catching up with him in the late SA hours / early Hong Kong hours to get his feedback on his five charges for the valley!
Race 1: FORTUNE WAY (12): I am hoping for a good effort.
Race 3: MAGNETISM (10): I am hoping he runs well.
Race 4: ELECTRIC LIGHTNING (9): Has a huge chance jumping from barrier 2, last run was excellent and I am hoping he can go one better.
Race 5: GOUTEN OF GARO (12): I am hoping for a good run.
Race 9: CUE THE MUSIC (1): The South African horse! He has a nice gate and is back in Class 3. He has been in Class 2 his last few runs. It is a competitive race but he should be in the shake-up.
- Warren Lenferna

Neil Morrice Happy Valley Best Bets

Race 1: No 9 - FOX CHEUNGER
Trainer: Francis Lui - Jockey: Matthew Chadwick

Since a stunning 33-1 triumph here in early February, FOX CHEUNGER has taken home a cheque on two of his three starts at Sha Tin. He’s done enough to show that success wasn’t a fluke, and back at his favoured course represents value to cause another minor upset. AURORA STEED has claims to grab the early lead from a favourable post under an in-form jockey and needs respecting. Another capable of raising his game is FIRE AND GOLD. He hasn’t shown much since his Sha Tin success before Christmas, but is now on third run back and has a good draw.

Prediction: 9-2-7

Race 2: No 3 - STARLIGHT
Trainer: Dennis Yip - Jockey: Antoine Hamelin

The riding of Hamelin has been widely praised since his arrival into the Club earlier in the month, with the Frenchman booting home four winners. He gets another chance to demonstrate his skill aboard STARLIGHT. Although the eight-year-old hasn’t won for well over a year all six of his career successes have happened at the city circuit and he’s dropped to a rating well under his last winning mark. In a wide-open heat SPEEDY LUCK needs considering as he’s now familiarised himself with the Hong Kong terrain and has a good draw. However, the main threat can stem from OVERSUBSCRIBED, who although costly to follow has got into the race on a tempting mark.

Prediction: 3-11-2

Race 3: No 8 - ABOVE
Trainer: John Moore - Jockey: Chad Schofield

Stepping into a Class 3 for the first time, ABOVE can carry on the good work that saw him score at Sha Tin at the end of last month. He’s shown how much of an improver he is by notching all four of his career wins within his last nine starts and was particularly impressive last time. LONDON HALL has been in his comfort zone moving up the distance ladder, and after winning his last two outings at Sha Tin should relish this first attempt at 2200 metres. From his wide gate STIMULATION could find himself all dressed up with nowhere to go, but if the cards fall right spells danger.

Prediction: 8-6-4

Race 4: No 5 - CHARITY GRAND
Trainer: Danny Shum - Jockey: Antoine Hamelin

Old man of the party STAR MAJESTIC needs to look lively at the gate and ensure ELECTRIC LIGHTNING doesn’t poach too much of an early lead. But if breaking the first-named horse can go close to ending a more than two-year wait for a win. He’s run well on all three outings under Club jockey Shinn, including when finding only Charity Wings too strong for him here in March, while again bagging minor money in the race won by Righteous Mate at Sha Tin last time. Electric Lightning raised his game when losing out in a photo to Focus which was by far his best effort of the year but with three readying runs under his belt CHARITY GRAND gets the vote. He’s a lightly-raced individual with the look of a winner waiting to happen.

Prediction: 5-2-9

Race 5: No 5 - WINNING WAYS
Trainer: Danny Shum - Jockey: Zac Purton

WINNING WAYS has enjoyed a bountiful time since his arrival in the Shum stable, posting a win, two seconds and a third from only five outings. Purton knows how to get the best out of the gelding, the vast majority of whose starts have been here at the Valley. The main stumbling block is FARM BUMPER whose chance would be given a boost if Aurora Steed acquits himself well in the first. He beat the latter over course and distance early last month and then went down fighting to Zero Hedge on his latest start. Furthermore, he has a favourable slot in the gate. For sheer consistency, MEHBOOB has to go in the mix after going 2332 in his four appearances this year.

Prediction: 5-9-1

Race 6: No 2 - TANGMERE
Trainer: Caspar Fownes - Jockey: Zac Purton

TANGMERE came good at the 20th attempt when scoring here early last month and if in the same mood can go in again. He battled hard to repel Methane, whose subsequent form hasn’t tarnished the worth of the victory. Sharing top weight with him is CHARITY WINGS who himself ended a near 14-month wait for a win when holding Star Majestic, and that horse can provide a line onto the form when contesting Race 4. BLOOMING SPIRIT has delivered in two of his last three starts over course and distance. If turning out in a similar mood he seems destined to take out a slice of the pie.

Prediction: 2-1-6

Race 7: No 4 - LUCKY QUALITY
Trainer: Caspar Fownes - Jockey: Zac Purton

With Purton doing the steering for the first time from the favoured rail, LUCKY QUALITY can prove hard to stop. On his latest start in first-time blinkers and on return from 100 days off, the gelding flashed home over the course and distance to be beaten into fifth in a blanket finish. Now all the better for that run, there’s sufficient improvement in the tank for him to take the spoils. HAPPY GOOD GUYS won on his first start this year over five furlongs and again over this six in mid-March. He wasn’t beaten far when taking home a minor cheque last time and figures to be in the thick of things again. Course and distance winner FLYING GODSPELL went down fighting in a three-way photo last time, and can’t be safely discounted.

Prediction: 4-2-6

Race 8: No 1 - DANCING FIGHTER
Trainer: Caspar Fownes - Jockey: Zac Purton

If rediscovering his excellent form from last year DANCING FIGHTER will take plenty of stopping. The top weight was compromised by having to challenge eight wide on his reappearance and a line is readily drawn through that run. However, it should have served the purpose of bringing the five-year-old forward to somewhere near the form he was in when scoring back-to-back successes before Christmas. BEAUTY AMIGO is one that can earn and represents the value play, even though he needs to improve to challenge the main pick. And one that could prove a fly in the ointment is GOLDEN DASH, who has the ability to win this but might be just in need of a first outing in 322 days following problems.

Prediction: 1-3-2

Race 9: No 4 - LARSON
Trainer: John Moore - Jockey: Zac Purton

LARSON to gun down CLASSIC UNICORN is the way I can see the nightcap panning out. The selection deservedly opened his account here a fortnight ago and looks poised to graduate on to better things. Purton jumps on him for the first time and the combination can prevent Classic Unicorn from leading all the way from the favoured rail. At bigger odds, CALIFORNIA ARCHER has to be considered as he finished just a length and a half behind Larson, running by far his best race of the year.

Prediction: 4-7-10

So far you would be broke following any of those guys

Next three races trixiw Star Majestic x Winning Ways x Tangmere

Magi wrote: So far you would be broke following any of those guys

they just took anything in 'yellow'. HV can be complex sometimes i would prefer to just watch (blackbook) and enjoy, esp days like today when there is bit of rain.

2 favourites bombed the start, both from draw 2.
Tough day for punters in wet conditions, tough day for Zac who butchered 2 false favorites and had a chance to go top of championship marathon.