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Williams can win on Malayan Pearl

TODAY'S HONG KONG (HAPPY VALLEY) RACE CARD Hong Kong preview

RACE 1 (2,200M)

1 CLOUD NINE was a one-time antepost fancy for the Derby at Epsom in a previous life, when named Christophermarlowe. The son of Tapit has shown a few of the quirks typical of his sire's progeny but down in Class 4 for the first time and up to 2,400m, he should be ready to win. Can be backed with some confidence.

3 KING BOUNTIFUL went horrendously last time out but was good before that and the step back up to 2,200m should be suitable. Can be coupled with Cloud Nine for a forecast bet.

7 BLAZING PASS is a headstrong character who failed at his only try at this trip but he looks like he'd appreciate it now and could be an interesting contender.

8 WINASWEWISH has been racing consistently this season and should race well again.

RACE 2 (1,200M)

9 GREAT SPEED is becoming a frustrating horse to follow. He's been winless in 31 starts in Hong Kong, but has hit the board in six of his last seven starts. He was only beaten a neck last time out and looks likely to get a similar race here, so perhaps this is his moment in the sun.

4 SHOWING CHARACTER finally broke through last start after threatening to win a number of times before that. He's drawn well and should get a perfect trip, which gives him a chance to go back-to-back.

5 MANHATTAN STRIKER is mixing his form but this race looks suitable and he gets Joao Moreira aboard.

1 FOREVER FUN meets Showing Character four pounds better for a half-length defeat and is always well suited in Class 5. Definitely one to include in those exotic bets.

RACE 3 (1,800M)

2 MALAYAN PEARL looks a potential leader here in a race that lacks speed. He has a master tactical rider in Craig Williams aboard and while he mixes his form to a large extent, this looks a good opportunity for him to break through. Can be backed with some confidence.

1 ROCK THE TREE gets back in his races so will need luck, although a slow tempo shouldn't be too disadvantageous. He ran particularly well last time out at his first run in Class 5 and he is drawn to capitalise again.

4 SAFARI MAGIC is consistent but has drawn awkwardly. Still he should figure among the placegetters.

12 WIN CHANCE can sometimes over-race but is a very good chance in this race if he can race tractably.

RACE 4 (1,200M)

4 ISAAC made his "debut" in the void race behind D B Pin in late October, finishing third, before finishing fifth at his official debut behind that same runner a month ago. It looks a strong form race and, with natural improvement, he should be hard to beat here. One of the better bets on the card.

2 GRACYDAD has always looked talented but has raced his way into form at his last two. He has drawn wide here but, with Joao Moreira aboard, he should be somewhere in the mix.

3 ROYALE ELEGANCE is racing well enough, but might need to drop a little further before he wins again. Craig Williams aboard from gate two is a plus, though.

10 ROBUST MOMENTUM, who always races well at this course and distance and must be tossed into those novelty bets.

RACE 5 (1,650M)

3 WISKY is interestingly returning to the 1,650m at Happy Valley, a course and distance he won over last season, after two runs at Happy Valley to start the season. He should get a perfect run from the inside gate and should be in the mix again.

11 GLORY STAR is probably looking for the drop into Class 5 but he could potentially go forward with no weight on his back and that could make him dangerous here.

1 SWEET HOME has drawn awkwardly but looks well placed now as he drops further into Class 4.

6 SPINNING DANCER is finally finding form for new trainer Manfred Man and he does get the services of Joao Moreira.

RACE 6 (1,200M)

3 HARRIER JET returned to form last time out at Happy Valley after a poor first run this season. He should be able to win off a mark of 74, and he has the perfect draw and the right race scenario to break through.

7 SEA JADE made a mess of his rivals, racing away to win by four and a half lengths on speed. This race looks an entirely different prospect with plenty of pace up front, but perhaps he is well suited to Happy Valley so he must go in again.

11 FISH N' CHIPS is a consistent type who looks capable of winning in Class 3 and he should be in the mix.

4 DIEGO KOSTA has not raced since June after his campaign faltered due to a fever in September. He is looking well in the mornings and ended last season in consistent fashion and he looks set to continue in a similar vein.

RACE 7 (1,650M)

12 RIGHT CALL is one of the more fascinating runners of the night. He takes to the Happy Valley 1,650m for the first time, having placed over the Sha Tin 1,600m and also over the Happy Valley 1,200m. The step up in trip looks a big plus and he gets in so well at the weights that he must be a shout here.

6 CHATER LEGEND raced very well last time out, storming home to just finish behind Little Island last time out. He should be in the mix yet again.

5 MARVEL HERO has been rather disappointing in his last three after racing in good form before that. Joao Moreira jumps on the pint-sized pony for the first time and he should be in contention once more.

3 INVENTOR might have hit his peak but has the talent to be a challenger if he gets a nice trip from gate three.

RACE 8 (1,650M)

3 HAPPY SPIRIT is a consistent type around this circuit, racing handy and sticking on. Joao Moreira jumps aboard for the first time and he should be hard to beat here.

7 AEROSPEED is yet to win in Hong Kong but rarely runs a bad race. He has drawn the inside for Derek Leung and should get the perfect trip here.

6 VICTORY MARVEL looks to have ratings points up his sleeve and should also get a good trip. He has been slightly disappointing at his last two but should be a contender here.

8 THE SYLPH finally broke through at the end of last season and hasn't been disgraced in three efforts this season.

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