Oct 15 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis

Race 1 (1,650M)

1 Courier Magic ended last season with a fast-finishing third as he returned to Class 5, where he holds a strong record. His trial for return was encouraging and, with Zac Purton taking the ride, he gets every chance to resume as a winner.

2 Ninja Derby was given a peach first-up to lead all the way and, while he has drawn widest this time, he has the pace to offset it and is capable of giving another sight.

11 The Way We Win produced his best run yet when a closing second at Sha Tin. With the inside draw aiding his pattern, he is one who can take another step forward.

6 Foremost Teddy needed the run first-up and can strip fitter, with a minor gear tweak possibly sparking a sharper effort second-up.

Race 2 (1,650M)

2 Northern Beast ticks plenty of boxes third-up, reuniting with Purton and drawing barrier 1. This marks his fifth run back in Class 4, and he looks ready to strike.

9 No Other Choice pulled too hard last start and had nothing left late, but his first-up effort was much better. With a more controlled trip, he can bounce back.

3 Chain Of Gold has been building nicely since dropping to this grade. His first-up run was a solid platform to improve from.

7 Prince Alex steps back to a more suitable trip and, while he will need luck from the wide gate, he has shown he can finish off strongly when things fall into place.

Race 3 (1,200M)

1 Dancing Classics should benefit from his first-up run where he sat on the pace before fading late in a genuinely run race. He comes into this second-up with barrier 1, 5lb (2.26kg) off his back thanks to Ellis Wong's claim, and maps to get all the favours. He is right in the mix.

5 Peridot also looks a likely improver off his first-up effort. He is trending the right way with more experience, though he will need some luck early from barrier 12.

3 Argento Ocean continues to improve with racing and the addition of cheekpieces, plus a switch to the city circuit could unlock further improvement.

4 Owners' Sunshine steps up to 1,200m after making solid ground late over the 1,000m second-up, and looks ready to peak third-up.

Race 4 (1,200M)

7 Thunder Prince has dropped a long way in the ratings and now lines up for Jamie Richards following a stable switch and a strong trial. He gets his chance in a thin race to finally make his mark in Hong Kong.

8 Incanto Star caught the eye late when resuming over 1,000m and gets Purton on at his third start. Stepping up to 1,200m looks ideal and, if he can use barrier 4 to hold a spot early, he will be a great chance.

2 The Perfect Match returned soundly from a break with another second. While the draw makes things trickier, he is on his way to another win.

12 Golden Friendship ran a much-improved race when resuming in Class 5, He can give another sight up on the speed with no weight on his back despite the rise in grade.

Race 5 (1,650M)

4 Forever Glorious resumes for Brett Crawford and brings two solid trials into this first-up run. Barrier 2 ensures a soft run on speed, which suits his pattern, and he is more than capable of giving a bold sight fresh.

1 Sunday's Serenade returns to his preferred course and distance with the benefit of two runs under his belt and Purton takes over.

7 Youth Power showed his usual tenacity when resuming over this course and trip, rolling forward to lead and sticking on gamely for third. He will make his presence felt again.

9 Young Fighter has been finding his way, but the step-up in trip suits based on his pedigree. He has drawn to enjoy a smothered run from barrier 3, which can bring out further improvement.

Race 6 (1,200M)

3 Tourbillon Golfer looks ready to win after a solid first-up effort at Sha Tin where he worked early from a wide draw and faded late into fourth in a strong form race. He has drawn wide again, but with little speed on paper, Purton may be able to cross and control.

5 Mr Desira made a promising return over 1,000m when leading and sticking on gamely for second. He gets an ideal draw and can dictate terms stepping up to 1,200m.

1 Find My Love had no luck late when returning to this grade, held up inside the last 200m and finishing a length off the winner. He stays in the mix off that run.

12 Zetta Force has quietly trialled well since transferring to Dennis Yip and maps for a soft run from barrier 3. An each-way chance at odds.

Race 7 (1,800M)

9 Jumbo Legend ran a strong race to finish fifth first-up over the extended mile and stepping to 1,800m second-up is a good set-up for him. He will be difficult to hold out.

3 Encountered also resumed in that same race at his first run for Crawford and made a late dive to just miss. He maps well again from a middle draw and clearly has settled in well with the new yard.

5 Lo Rider won that race with a dream run from barrier 1. While he would not get the same favours from gate 9, he remains a lightly raced talent with more upside.

8 Speed Dragon will drop back from his wide draw and be saved for one run. He is capable of charging home if the tempo suits.

Race 8 (1,200M)

6 King Miles was frustrating last season, placing second in three of his five runs at this course and trip. He gets another shot first-up from barrier 1, with Francis Lui applying blinkers which he trialled well in. No excuses.

1 Storm Rider, with blinkers back on, should improve sharply second-up after being eased back early first-up at Sha Tin before closing off well for fifth.

3 Super Infinity also draws nicely in gate 4 to map just off the speed. He has been consistent despite not winning in over a year and, while this marks his Happy Valley debut, he brings strong Sha Tin form that keeps him in the mix.

2 La Forza draws wide in barrier 11 but has the early speed to potentially overcome it, though running out a strong 1,200m remains a query based on what he has shown so far.

Race 9 (1,800M)

8 Excellence Value resumed with a close-up fifth over 1,650m and should come on from the run second-up stepping to 1,800m , where, although yet to win, he has been runner-up on both attempts.

2 Joy Of Spring is a two-time winner from three at the course and trip, and has returned in good form with his chances hinging on where he lands in the run. Last start, he settled too far back and struck traffic in the straight, but still finished close in eighth.

1 Cambridge gets the right conditions with solid speed on to suit his pattern while getting back to Happy Valley, where he has performed well.

6 Wrote A New Page can show tactical versatility and does not necessarily need to lead. His return to Happy Valley, where he is three from three, can give his chances a good boost.

Comments courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club