He was an odds-on flop last time but Outstanding Lad can redeem himself at Sha Tin today when tackling a modest Class Four field in the eighth event on the card. The Bruce Hutchison stable is in a fine seam of winning form and Outstanding Lad can add to the growing tally as he looks, on what has been seen of him in races and trials to date, capable of winning in better company than this. Trainer Hutchison and jockey Steven King were a bit non-plussed after his last-start failure with one tentative reason offered being the fact that the horse was backing up fairly quickly after a quality debut second behind above-average City Warrior. Outstanding Lad also legged it to the front last time before finding nothing in the closing stages. If King can angle him over from his outside barrier and still have him racing off the pace, it may be better tactics for Outstanding Lad. Since his last run, Outstanding Lad trialled really well at Happy Valley where he suffered interference and King almost came to grief. Under the circumstances, his city track trial was exemplary. He has added to that with some fluent work and King said: 'On the feel he gives me in the morning and what he's done in trials and trackwork, he should be right there. 'His last run was a bit of a mystery to me but I am very hopeful that he has shown enough to be able to win in a race like this.' Newcomer Charming Success, from the Ivan Allan stable, bears watching. He is a very well-bred type whose work has been good enough to attract some attention and he could well pop up. Certainly, Charming Success is one to bear in mind as he will improve on whatever he does. Top Class was pulled up last time when the saddle slipped but ran most encouragingly at huge odds when third over the longer sprint at his previous start. The John Moore-trained galloper is stepped up to 1,400 metres and this looks more to his liking.
