March 12 Hong Kong (Happy Valley) form analysis

11 Diamond Soars relishes this course and distance and is a clear pace influence in the race, ensuring he will give a bold sight up front.

4 So Treasure is an intriguing runner as he steps into Class 5 for the first time. He has trialled nicely for the switch and is ready to improve with more in his favour.

1 Crystal Powerful has been honest in Class 4 this season and will relish a return to Class 5, where he is a one-time winner from three attempts, though the drop back to 1,000m is a query.

10 Pochettino ran his best race last time. He was two lengths behind in third over 1,400m at Sha Tin, and looks set to continue on his upward trend.

6 Good Luck Win has been consistent since surprising at long odds with a win four starts ago, backing it up with three subsequent third placings. He looks well placed to pick up another cheque.

1 Forever Glorious can be followed on the class drop as he returns to Class 4. His recent form has been solid, including a nose second to Price Alex at this course and trip four runs back.

8 To Infinity is hard to catch but has the ability to surprise. It was only four starts ago that he won a race of similar nature.

4 Club Ace is improving and put the writing on the wall last time from barrier 10, where he sat handy and was game late into third.

1 Yee Cheong Spirit was too far back in the run last time when seventh and found some traffic at the 200m, but his earlier form suggests he has what it takes to bounce back to winning ways.

2 Motoman has improved with more racing and has now put together two encouraging thirds, after winning over Yee Cheong Spirit three runs back.

7 Great Spirit showed good form in his first attempt at the city circuit and, with a gear change last start, ran a close-up third after being held up for some time in the later stages. If he can stay out of trouble, he would be right in the mix.

2 Bowser looks the one to beat after his luckless second last week, where he was held up for some time in the concluding stages before dashing strongly late to miss by just half a length.

8 Glory Cloud is also on the quick turnaround after drawing wide, settling behind, and closing off strongly into seventh. His earlier form suggests he has what it takes to position closer, which will only enhance his chances.

4 Golden Friendship lines up for his third start, and the three-year-old has shown promise in two encouraging efforts to date. He can take another step forward.

5 Telecom Dragon should appreciate a return to this trip after a solid effort over 1,400m at Sha Tin last time, when he settled further back than usual before winding up late into fourth. His previous form on this trip looks strong enough to make him a leading contender.

4 The Azure was tightened for room early last time, forcing him to settle further back than usual. He made good late headway into sixth, beaten 2½ lengths, so there was still plenty of merit in his run. This is one of the more competitive races, but he can bounce back.

11 Confringo has turned his form around since joining Cody Mo and now returns to Class 4 after breaking through for his maiden win at the top of Class 5 last time.

1 Viva Graciousness can revert to front-running tactics, which puts him in good stead to be hard to peg back late, especially dropping back into Class 4 after an excusable Class 3 run last time.

8 Amazing Award stepped up to 1,800m last start and did not disgrace, settling at the back of the pack before a fast-finishing fourth. Returning to his pet trip is key to his chances.

7 Mr Cool has been catching the eye in his barrier trials leading up to his debut, and the Frankie Lor-trained three-year-old gives the impression he will be in with a winning chance first-up.

1 Fortune Whiskey was crowded for room in the early stages last time, costing him crucial ground before doing his best work late into sixth. His form has improved significantly since joining David Eustace, and he may still have rating points up his sleeve.

2 Giant Leap failed to measure up in Class 3, so he gets an opportunity to recapture some of his better form returning to Class 4.

9 Glory B broke his maiden in commendable fashion last time and has since won a trial in strong style. He has held his form and should prove competitive again.

6 King Of Fighters looks set to get the race run to suit, having shown last start that he can settle midfield and pounce late when finishing a strong second. That was his third local start and his best run yet, and he can take another leap forward.

11 Circuit Jolly is a handy three-year-old with more to come, having shown marked improvement since the blinkers were applied two starts ago before breaking through for his first Class 4 win last time. This is tougher, but on a light weight, he is going to give a sight.

2 Eason is on the quick back-up after a fair fifth, but he too will enjoy a good tempo, allowing him to make his presence felt late.

8 Blazing Wind finds this race easier than what he contested at Sha Tin last start and can show improvement on that ninth.

3 Chateauneuf returns to Happy Valley after two encouraging runs at Sha Tin, including a close third behind The Boom Box two starts back - a form line that reads well. He has shown the ability to race prominently in the past, including when settling third in the run and going down narrowly to Storming Dragon four starts ago.

4 Lucky Eight has endured a tough run of barrier draws but he has remained consistent, knocking on the door for a second success this term.

5 Beauty Infinity capitalised on an inside draw second-up when beaten just a nose by Romantic Son last week, suggesting that he is ready to break through in the grade soon.

2 California Touch can show second-up improvement after fading late into fifth behind Aurora Lady when leading at a strong tempo first-up, eventually beaten just over 1½ lengths.

10 Beauty Alliance is on the seven-day turnaround after winning by over two lengths at this course and distance. With little speed engaged on paper and his key rivals likely to settle behind him, he gets a prime opportunity to map like last week and prove hard to beat again.

8 Charity Gain has been a model of consistency for Eustace. Chasing back-to-back wins, he lost no admirers when rising to Class 3 last start, flashing home late from barrier 11 to second place.

9 Jumbo Legend tries 1,800m for the first time, and his first-up run over 1,650m showed he is back in good order, closing in nicely for fourth.

4 Star Mac will likely settle back in running and make his usual late dash inside the final 300m.

Comments courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club

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