NOBLE PURSUIT THE ONE TO BEAT

Oct 27 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis

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RACE 1 (1,200M)

3 Country Dancer has been catching the eye in his trials leading up to his first run for the season. This will also mark his first try in Class 5, where he will be partnered by Zac Purton, and the pair have drawn nicely low in barrier 3.

1 The Khan would prefer 1,400m, but he should have more to come after breaking his duck last start. A bit of a class edge on this field holds him in good stead.

5 Spicy So Smart gets barrier 1, which will provide him a decent run throughout.

10 Cheer For South has been disappointing, but he could finally get the race run to suit and may be one to finish in the money at a price.

RACE 2 (1,800M)

1 Noble Pursuit, for in-form duo Caspar Fownes and Hugh Bowman, was a dominant winner first-up over 1,650m and remains unbeaten second-up. From barrier 3, he will take a lot of beating in a contest that does not look harder.

4 Fortune Superstar should be primed to give his best effort third-up in Hong Kong, having turned in a strong trial between runs.

9 Winning Steps rises to Class 3 for the first time after an extraordinary last-start win, but given his inconsistency throughout his career, a query over whether he can reproduce that effort remains.

3 Romantic Laos is better than his recent form suggests, having had valid excuses in his last two starts, and with even luck, he is more than capable of bouncing back.

RACE 3 (1,650M)

2 Capital Legend will be suited by the rise in distance on his second run in Class 4. If he manages to map a touch closer, he will give himself a good chance to bounce back to winning ways.

7 Sturdy Ruby has had 16 races to win, but despite looking the winner many times, he just cannot get his nose in front when it matters. Still, his honesty carries him in good stead, especially with barrier 1 in his favour.