Happy Valley Preview

RACE ONE – SUNNY BABY / MILLENNIUM FALCON (EW)

Not the most original selection but the son of Iffraaj gets the vote. He began the campaign with an excellent second over 1400M at Sha Tin and Zac Purton sticks. Yee Cheong Warrior is closely matched with the selection and Hugh Bowman takes over from Luke Ferraris. Millennium Falcon, behind both on his seasonal return, ran better 10 days later when fifth over track and trip – he struggles to get home over this distance – but Angus Chung takes 7Ib off and he’s undeniably well treated on past exploits.

RACE TWO – MIRACLES / OUR CLASS ACT (EW)

A tricky class 5 with many chances but I settled on two. Miracles is 0-15 but generally well found in the market, partly down to eye-catching barrier trials. A tardy start cost him last month, but the booking of Purton is obviously significant and I’m prepared to give him another chance from the plum draw.

Valhalla was 0-16 until scoring over track and trip on his seasonal return. Angling off the rail in the straight he won stylishly under Keagan De Melo to earn a 7Ib rise. Three of the vanquished (1, 3, 4) return with scores to settle, notably Vamos, 0-23 but banging on the door to make the breakthrough. The former can remain a force off his new mark but I’ll take Our Class Act as my second pick for Cody Mo, granted a full trainer’s license for the 2023/24 season. Down to a very attractive mark, the son of Holy Roman Emperor ran nicely in a recent trial and used to deeper waters than he encounters here.

RACE THREE – HUMBLE STAR / EXPLOSIVE WITNESS (EW)

A similar race to the one where Harmony N Blessed narrowly prevailed from Humble Star and Heroic Master last month. Purton switches from the third to ride the Pierre Ng runner-up, who looks the likeliest winner if repeating that effort.

The each way alternative is ‘old boy’ Explosive Witness, an unlucky seventh (in the race above) but an improved fifth, 11 days later under Harry Bentley. Reunited with Hugh Bowman, the Star Witness gelding can turn the clock back.

RACE FOUR – JUNE PLANET (Best Bet)

Off the mark at the 11th attempt, the Casper Fownes 5YO can go back to back under Hugh Bowman off a 5Ib higher mark. Trainer and jockey have made excellent starts to the season and the selection has been well placed in a race that doesn’t look overly competitive for the grade.

RACE FIVE – RED ELEGANCE

Beauty Glory and Allgreektome, second and third two weeks ago, lock horns once more. Purton takes the reins on the latter, who I expect will reverse form with the runner-up, but I like the Jamie Richards 4YO, a winner on debut last season, giving hope that lightning can strike twice on his seasonal return. Encouraging trials provide optimism and he shaped well over track and trip on his final start last season.

RACE SIX – DENFIELD (Next Best ) / HIGH PERCENTAGE (EW)

The son of Deep Field was expected to win last month but a tardy start put paid to his chance. He signed off last season with a C&D success, a barnstorming victory under Vincent Ho earning a 9Ib rise, and he ought to have too many guns for his rivals, if breaking cleanly from a tricky barrier. If in doubt, reach for Purton – the multiple champion takes the reins for the first time.

At juicier odds, the Benno Yung 4YO makes appeal. He went close over C&D last season when second to Solar Partner, and made an encouraging return last month – only seventh of 10, but not beaten far and the sixth, Lucky Gor won over C&D on his next start. From gate 4, he can find a nice position under regular pilot, Lyle Hewitson.

RACE SEVEN – WATCH BUDDY

As Class 4 events go, this looks one of the more interesting. The selection ended last season with a breakthrough success, making all from gate 1 to win by a diminishing margin from Juneau Flash – a deserved victory from the son of Rothesay who has scope for improvement following a handful of runs. Alexis Badel maintains the partnership for Ricky Yiu.

RACE EIGHT – ROYAL PRIDE

The son of Medaglia d’Oro is close to a class drop but performs well in this grade. He began his campaign with a never nearer sixth to Superb Boy in a competitive race and gets the speculative vote in the last under Alexis Badel.