HAPPY VALLEY

R1 – Kinfauns Castle Handicap (Class 5) (3yo+) 1000M

James McDonald will be fancied to boot home Happily Friends (perhaps with good justification) but I’ll take HAPPY HORSE to shed the maiden tag for Manfred Man. The son of Zoustar has raced with credit this season, arrives on a career low mark and well drawn with Angus Chung keeping the ride following a respectable fourth to The Good Deal last time.

R2 – Edinburgh Castle Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+) 1000M

HUMBLE STAR won last time for Pierre Ng. The Star Witness gelding, placed in all starts this campaign prior to his success, clearly appreciated the generous pace set by Super Commander and a supporting cast of Harmony N Blessed and Fortune Warrior. While a strong tempo appears less likely this time, he nevertheless gets the vote off a 7Ib higher mark.

R3 – Stirling Castle Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+) 2200M

A wide open race can go to JUBILATION, a course winner on his final start last season and he returned in good heart to score on dirt last month. That win pushed him up in grade but he fared well with a fine third to Billionaire Secret. Alexis Badel takes the reins. My second dart lands on MANAGEMENT FOLKS (Each Way), a C&D winner last season under Hugh Bowman. He made only a modest return last month, and while his latest trial was also average, I wouldn’t rule out an improved effort.

R4 – Crookston Castle Handicap (Class 5) (3yo+) 1800M

Another tricky Class 5 where the vote goes to 0-17, JOYFUL CHAMPION for Michael Chang. The son of Outstrip knocks on the door and reunited with Andrea Atzeni. At likely bigger odds, I’m also including GOLD STERLING (Each Way), a lightly raced Deep Field, plummeting down the ratings but he travelled nicely last time and worth following.

R5 – Balmoral Castle Handicap (Class 4) (3yo+) 1200M

TALENTS SUPREMO began his career with Ralph Beckett in the UK where he won twice at this distance. He was 0-11 in Hong Kong for the now retired, Richard Gibson but the switch to Cody Mo is paying dividends. Gradually improving for each run, he scored over track and trip on his latest start under Zac Purton. In the usual jockey merry-go-round, the champ now partners Rubylot, but another world-class pilot, James McDonald, takes over. My selection won narrowly but I liked his sustained run and determination to prevail. From the rail draw and a manageable 5Ib higher mark I like his chance. The aforementioned Rubylot has to be respected for David Hayes. He’s made the frame in his three outings to date – runs 1 and 3 were ‘restricted’ races, all under the excellent Lyle Hewitson who did nothing wrong on the horse except get beat. This will be first run at Happy Valley. Another I’ll give a shout to is King Invincible, who hasn’t lived up to his name, but has not enjoyed the rub of the green in two runs this season. He returns to 1200M under Andrea Atzeni with a live chance but he does need to break a little better from the lids. Act Of Faith and Kokushi Musou are two more you have to include.

R6 – St Andrew’s Challenge Quaich (Handicap) (Class 4) (3yo+) 1200M

A tough race to unravel. The dart lands on the lightly raced WATCH BUDDY, a C&D winner on his penultimate start. He made a fair seasonal return when sixth to Copartner Ambition and won his latest barrier trial at Sha Tin. With a mere six local starts, the son of Rothesay looks interesting under Alexis Badel.

R7 – Dunnottar Castle Handicap (Class 3) (3yo+) 1800M

CHILL CHIBI landed the hat-trick on his latest start. The Danny Shum 4YO goes up 7Ib but is progressing nicely and the step up in trip looks ideal. At a double figure price I’ll have a saver on GALLANT HERO (Each Way), winner of four of his last five. The Fast Company gelding was a narrow victor three weeks ago, but it was visually impressive and another who looks suited by the rise in trip.

R8 – Eilean Castle Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+) 1200M

A superb race to end the night with WONDER KIT given the vote under the excellent Lyle Hewitson. A model of consistency, the Sooboog gelding won over C&D this month from a very useful Tomodachi Kokoroe, and is well drawn up in grade.