Tread carefully with tricky TT
There are only small fields of 12 runners per race but Wednesday's Happy Valley Triple Trio already has a nightmarishly competitive appearance.
It's going to be difficult to find any banker over which there isn't some sort of query, so the best advice may well be to keep stakes to a minimum and most of the powder dry in order to fire more accurate TT shots in the future.
Looking at the third event which opens the world's best wager, the Tony Cruz-trained Bank On It could get a soft lead from barrier three. He had to work hard last time but prior to that he showed how dangerous he can be from the front when a wide-margin winner over the Sha Tin 1,200 metres.
Solo ran much better last time and should go well from barrier four. Interestingly, jockey John Egan sticks with him and more and more Egan is giving the impression of riding the Valley as well as anyone. Indeed there is a touch of Basil Marcus about him. Not in riding style but in approach. Egan is already proving such a hit with punters and a bit of a coup for the Jockey Club because he gets his horses out and amongst them. Not all of them as, of course, some have to be ridden cold, but the vast majority of the time he's in there mixing it and loving it.
Super Bold Racer kept on nicely on his debut and appears to have gone the right way since, while Wavy Wave worked well late last week when having the edge over the in-form Exceptional in a strong piece. Arabica has had a break, while this is tougher for Mission Sealed but it is his favourite course and distance so don't discount him.
Empire Court ran third in a solid form race in the International Jockeys' Series last time out and should again go well. His problem will be overcoming barrier 11. It's going to be even harder for Lead To Win, who is out in 12, but he has to be included as he should nearly have won last time. The only luck he had in running was bad. Star Of Tai Po is racing in the form of his life and is well drawn, but he did have the run of the race last time. Rangeela looped the field and placed last time, while Fun Manager went better in the blinkers last time and was blocked for room close home. Golden Bullet could not be in better form. He went for home too soon last time. American Champion should go well in the sixth, as should others who like the Valley mile such as Guscott, Jewel Box, Harmony Prince and Sir Galway. Private Life is improving but is badly drawn. Silver Power is coming right but could well have been flattered last time due to the soft tempo.