Declan Schuster's Hong Kong Selections and Analysis for Wednesday, January 20, 2021

HAPPY VALLEY SELECTIONS
(Wednesday, January 20, 2021)

Race 1: #6 Shinealot, #7 General Dino, #3 Sky Gem, #2 Pretty Bauhinia
Race 2: #2 Chikorita, #3 Coolceleb, #1 Champ Patrol, #8 Wood On Fire
Race 3: #4 Ardenode, #5 Prawn Yeah Yeah, #2 Oversubscribed, #10 Flying Monkey
Race 4: #4 Honest Way, #5 A Smile Like Yours, #9 Split Of A Second, #2 Jolly Good Heart
Race 5: #3 Fast Pace, #5 More Than Enough, #1 Ever Laugh, #2 Glorious Lover
Race 6: #6 Magic Supreme, #1 Colonel, #3 Oriental Amigo, #7 Stock Legend
Race 7: #2 Beauty Spirit, #1 Lewis, #9 Sunny Lad, #11 Wealthy Delight
Race 8: #6 Divine Regulus, #3 Scores Of Fun, #2 Sparkling Dragon, #9 Ares
Race 9: #9 Beauty Kobe, #2 Snap Fit, #4 Kinda Cool, #10 Igniting

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Race 1: Tseuk Luk Handicap

#6 Shinealot is yet to win but gets his chance stepping up in trip with Zac Purton engaged. #7 General Dino has been competitive across three runs for trainer Richard Gibson this term. He looks as though he’ll relish the step up to 2200m. #3 Sky Gem gets a handy seven-pound claim from apprentice Alfred Chan. He’s a two-time winner over this trip who should get every chance. #2 Pretty Bauhinia is next best with Christophe Soumillon taking the ride.

Race 2: Sam Chuk Handicap (3rd Section)

#2 Chikorita is a Class 4 winner in the past and is also aided by the booking of Zac Purton. He’s competitive in his spot and does look to have found a suitable contest that is, if he can offset the tricky gate. Chances are #3 Coolceleb rolls forward to try and make all. Jerry Chau’s seven-pound claim helps and he rates as the main danger. #1 Champ Patrol won well two starts ago. He’s a chance if he can shoulder top-weight duties. #8 Wood On Fire is next best.

Race 3: Ng Fong Handicap

#4 Ardenode has been knocking on the door all season and he gets his chance from the good gate with Christophe Soumillon up. #5 Prawn Yeah Yeah is competitive as a two-time winner over this distance and as such, rates as the main danger. #2 Oversubscribed bears close watching Zac Purton hopping up as he makes the drop to Class 5. #10 Flying Monkey mixes his form but has proven to be a competitive customer on his day.

Race 4: Sam Chuk Handicap (2nd Section)

#4 Honest Way is racing well and deserves a win having come close in each of his last three starts. #5 A Smile Like Yours has been solid in two starts since his slashing runner-up effort on debut. He can figure but the wide draw hurts his claims. #9 Split Of A Second has his first start for new trainer Chris So. He has a bit of class about him and draws well for this contest. #2 Jolly Good Heart commands respect.

Race 5: Sze Mei Handicap

#3 Fast Pace has found his niche over the course and distance. He rates strongly in this contest off the back of a close-up defeat last start as a well-supported favourite. #5 More Than Enough is competitive in his spot. A forward ride from Christophe Soumillon should hold him in good stead. #1 Ever Laugh ran a blinder over this course and distance last start. He doesn’t win out of turn but does have race-fitness on his side. #2 Glorious Lover has the ability but is struggling to piece it all together. He can finish thereabouts.

Race 6: Sam Chuk Handicap (1st Section)

#6 Magic Supreme can make the most of a fast tempo and from the good gate, get every chance from an inside gate. #1 Colonel draws poorly but is more than likely not going to cross the field and try to lead all-the-way. #3 Oriental Amigo has shown glimpses of ability. He draws well and rates strongly. #7 Stock Legend returns for the first time since his scintillating last-to-first win. He remains in Class 4 and has claims but will need to step up once again.

Race 7: Tai Yau Handicap

#2 Beauty Spirit draws well and is more than capable of turning his form around as he has done previously. #1 Lewis is on-the-up and steps out of the back of a close-up defeat last time out. He gets Zac Purton up now and rates as the main danger from gate three. #9 Sunny Lad is classy in his spot and was a course and distance winner two starts ago. #11 Wealthy Delight gets in light with only 117lb allotted. He’s another who is on-the-up and, is aided by the booking of Joao Moreira.

Race 8: Sheung Hai Handicap

#6 Divine Regulus definitely has ability and he looks ready to take the next step here off the back of a solid sixth-placed effort last time out and, he might be good value to do so. #3 Scores Of Fun has placed second in four out of his last five starts. He’s becoming somewhat of a hard horse to catch but still, he is racing well and with plenty of merit. #2 Sparkling Dragon is a three-time course and distance winner. He has the class edge and should get his chance from an even draw. #9 Ares is capable but isn’t favoured by gate 11.

Race 9: Sheung Hai Handicap

#9 Beauty Kobe has shown he has the ability and his trial form suggests that it won’t be long before he pieces it all together. His two runs have been fair on race but it wouldn’t shock to see him bounce out of the ground here. #2 Snap Fit has the class edge and does get a handy seven-pound claim from apprentice Alfred Chan. #4 Kinda Cool is looking for a hat-trick of wins. He lugs more weight this time but was still a classy winner at his first try in Class 3. #10 Igniting is next best.