On that occasion he beat principal rivals Great Delight (fourth) and Smart Winner (sixth) and meets them on similar terms.

If that is not enough evidence, then his effort in the Sha Tin Trophy should be - having finished a game third to dominant miler Self Flit, with last year's Derby heroine Elegant Fashion second. Douglas Whyte retains the ride, and from gate four should enjoy the run of the race behind the leaders and prove hard to beat.

Great Delight is a possible leader, bearing in mind that he made every post a winner over the course and distance last time and clearly displayed a liking for a front-running role. The slight concern today is that he is likely to find more pressure at the front end if he assumes a similar position, with Prime Witness, Victory Warrior and Golconda all capable of leading this field on any given day. But on the positive note, he has hit form and looks in peak condition.

Should Shane Dye decide to surrender the lead and ride him from just off the speed, he must be rated a sound chance, with the only proviso being that he must settle.

It is difficult to make a case for Prime Witness based on his finishing position behind Cheerful Fortune in the Ladies' Purse.

Like any frontrunner, he is always dangerous when allowed to dictate the pace, but as that is unlikely to be the case today he can be ruled out.

The first impression is that Victory Warrior lacks the class to be competitive here, and as he has only managed to fill the frame once from eight attempts over 1,400 metres others are preferred.

Of all the possible leaders, Golconda arguably has the best chance to fill the frame. He has a solid course-and-distance record and looks fairly handicapped on a mark of 100, having gone within a short head of victory from a mark of 108. In addition, he is attractively weighted on 113 pounds and is worth keeping safe.

There are few races where Smart Winner does not hold his own and he lost little in defeat when third to Cheerful Fortune last week.

However, it could be that the rigours of racing are about to take their toll as this outing is his sixth in the space of nine weeks. On form he is certainly a leading player, but this event may be too soon following a tough run last week and a minor placing looks his best result.

David Hayes has opted to utilise the claim of Jackie Tong Chi-kit aboard Charming City, who has had a good preparation leading up to this outing and was a respectable seventh in the Ladies Purse.

He should be near peak condition now, and although he will need luck in running from a wide alley, he could be a value chance to hit the frame.

Virtually every time he steps out, Meridian Star is one that has place claims, the problem being that he is often outclassed on level terms but carries too much weight under handicap conditions. There is no doubt he is in cracking form, and with a strong tempo likely again he has his chance to figure in the finish once again.

One of the more interesting entries is Northern Gold Ball, who will be having his first start for South African trainer David Ferraris. He will come right into the reckoning if the tempo of the race is fast, and as a multiple course-and-distance winner he warrants serious attention.

Able Choice can be expected to bounce back to form today following a slightly disappointing effort when eighth to Liberal's Choice over the Sha Tin mile. John Moore has opted to re-apply the blinkers and the reduction in trip by 200 metres is another positive.

The blinkers also go on Red Pepper for the first time, though the gelding has not inspired so far this term from two starts. He may need further relief in the ratings before being followed.

Hong Kong Cup winner Precision has had a very light preparation, going into this outing having had just two serious 1,200-metre gallops.

Given that his bodyweight is markedly up (38 pounds), he should need the outing. The quality may be there but the fitness level is not.