Feb 16 Hong Kong (Sha Tin) form analysis

4 Podium has been progressing well since joining David Eustace and, after breaking through for his first win five starts ago, he has remained consistent. He steps out 11 days after a fast-closing second over the mile at Happy Valley for the second consecutive time.

2 Gallant Crown should find the lead comfortably from his low draw. While he has not won in over a year and a half, he is edging closer in this grade, having finished third in his last three runs.

5 Manythanks Forever shifts from barrier 1 to 12, but his form has been exceptional since joining Chris So. With any luck in running, he is firmly in the mix.

8 Ivictoriam draws well and is starting to come to hand after sliding down the ratings into Class 5. His last-start ninth was better than it reads, as he was held up for a run in the straight.

4 Laserblanca appears to be a handy three-year-old who will carry high expectations to win first-up for John Size, having been a standout at the trials in his four Hong Kong hit-outs since arriving from Australia. He trialled there as Five Foot Fence and showed ability as well.

1 Victor The Rapid drops into Class 4 and is one to follow, though the query is his absence since mid-October. Still, his debut third to Call Me Glorious is a strong form reference, and his recent trial was decent without being fully tested.

2 Top Dragon is improving and lines up third-up after a narrow second to Blazing Wind, who has since measured up in Class 3.

3 Beauty Missile remains a long-standing 25-start maiden but is coming off an encouraging fourth, beaten less than a length by Sky Joy. Hard to like on a win line, but he must be kept safe for a placing.

7 Dragon Four Seas backed up his maiden win with a solid second to Yee Cheong Glory, after starting wide from barrier 10 last start. This looks an easier assignment, and he is the one to beat.

1 Magnifique made a lasting impression with a strong debut win as an odds-on favourite, confirming the promise he had shown in trials leading into that run. The rise to 1,200m looks an ideal second-up.

8 Everyone's Gallop is a Frankie Lor debutant who has progressed steadily in his barrier trials, particularly in his last two. He displayed sharp early speed to lead and win each heat in good style.

2 The Heir returns first-up after a fast-finishing second behind New Future Folks on his first attempt in Class 4. He has been frustratingly winless from 14 attempts but can break through in this grade.

4 Telecom Dragon has been knocking on the door for a win this season. The step-up to 1,400m for the first time might be what he needs to score. He was last seen closing strongly for fourth to Sky Jewellery at Happy Valley while the switch to Sha Tin is a positive.

1 Magnificent Nine tackles Class 4 for the second time, and his chances of shedding his Hong Kong maiden tag look better in this company. He was sent off favourite two starts ago in a similar race, flashing home into third from a wide draw.

10 Lucky Blessing remains unplaced from five starts but has been running honest races from an on-pace position. He may get a comfortable time in front, which could spark improvement.

12 Circuit Mighty needs to lift but can also be favoured on pace. Drop back in trip suits and he has been finishing close in recent runs.

2 Master Of All, a three-time winner and four-time place-getter from eight attempts over this course and distance, deserves plenty of attention and will be giving his opposition something to chase down.

1 Spirit Of Peace is a horse on the rise for Size. He broke through for his first win at his third start over 1,200m at Happy Valley, and that form has held up well with runner-up Hayday winning subsequently. The step up to 1,400m should suit.

10 Draco has been racing well since joining Ricky Yiu's yard and performed admirably last time, racing on pace from a wide draw over 1,200m at Happy Valley before holding on for third. The rise to 1,400m is an unknown, but he remains untapped and is closing in on a breakthrough win.

6 Win Speed is honest and has the required early speed to position advantageously on pace.

2 Beauty Alliance finished a close-up fourth last time, beaten just 1½ lengths after racing wide without cover throughout – an effort that followed a fast-finishing sixth from a wide draw. The rise to 1,800m looks ideal.

13 Cervin needs to improve on his Class 4 form, but he has improved this season and gets his chance with a light weight and barrier 1.

14 Soaring Bronco has been costly for punters, going winless despite starting as race favourite on four occasions. He is rarely beaten far, though. Keep safe.

12 California Moxie settles back and runs on, making him an interesting runner first-up over 1,800m, a distance he has yet to be tested over. As an improving northern hemisphere-bred four-year-old, he may well break through soon.

5 Lo Rider is on the quick seven-day turnaround after closing in for fifth over this course and distance last week, up against an on-pace-dominated race. He was also hampered in the concluding stages. Moving into barrier 1 is a plus, and Caspar Fownes' stable is finding form again.

4 Steps Ahead should improve from a mid-draw after racing wide without cover from a tough gate last start. His earlier form has been ultra-consistent.

8 Family Jewel, Fownes' other runner in the field, resumes for the first time since early December when finishing a closing sixth behind Californiatotalit – a formline that has since proven reliable.

12 Midori Giant steps out third-up in Hong Kong with blinkers applied, which piques plenty of interest. He is improving with race experience and looks capable of taking another step forward.

7 Mid Winter Wind made a huge impression on debut over 1,200m, producing a near last-to-first victory while clocking a blistering final 400m sectional of 21.72 seconds – the fastest of the entire meeting. Mark Newnham will be hoping his South African import can maintain his winning streak and stay on course for the next two legs of the Classic Series.

4 Karma boasts a strong second-up record with three wins from four, and his first-up closing run into third behind Sunlight Power was full of promise.

2 Sunlight Power sets the benchmark in a race of this nature after breaking through for his second win of the season last start. A major contender once again.

8 Mickley often finds trouble in his races, including last start in the Classic Mile, where he suffered interference at the 350m mark. His fifth-placed finish, beaten just 1½ lengths, had plenty of merit.

7 Crimson Flash produced a promising second over this course and distance on debut for Newnham. He stuck on well and should improve with that run and a better draw.

4 Colourful King faces a deep race with plenty of chances on debut, but his trials have been eye-catching and Eustace has a good record with first starters in Hong Kong. He has shown plenty of natural early speed in his trials, so expect him to be handy and give a bold sight.

2 Horsepower was an impressive winner over the minimum trip at Happy Valley in October. But he was scratched at the barriers at his next start after being found lame and has not raced since.

6 Sparkling Fellow finished third on his local debut in the same race as Crimson Flash and should strip fitter second-up, with experience now on his side.

4 Invincible Shield had no luck on debut after drawing barrier 14, racing wide without cover throughout before weakening in the home straight. He has had 28 days to recover from that tough run, has trialled well between starts, and should get his chance to show up second-up with a better passage.

12 Lifeline Express was desperately unlucky last time, finishing ninth, beaten 2½ lengths, after being held up at a crucial stage. He is itching to break his Class 3 duck when things fall into place.

1 Swift Ascend has done exactly that in the ratings for the Eustace stable and will be hard to hold out late, dropping back into Class 3 after a fourth to Raging Blizzard.

2 Glory Elite returns to 1,200m after weakening into 10th in the Classic Mile, though he was only beaten 3¼ lengths that day. He will give a sight.

3 Bundle Award broke through for his first Hong Kong win last start, a formline that has proven solid. He steps up to the mile, a trip he was unbeaten in overseas.

5 Dragon Joy stamped his credentials with a stunning last-to-first victory over this course and distance last start. He can keep the momentum going in a competitive race against many of his peers, all on a similar path towards the last two legs of the Classic Series.

12 Excellence Value could be worth keeping an eye on at odds, third-up in Hong Kong, having shown sharp improvement second-up when running on from last to finish fourth.

4 New Future Folks keeps building a strong resume, winning his second race from seven runs last start, overcoming a wide draw to lead all the way at his first attempt over this course and distance.

• HORSE RACING