HOW Free can break his maiden status this afternoon and also give jockey Johnny Ho a welcome winner in the third event at Happy Valley this afternoon.
Although, as a rule of thumb, you should not back maidens How Free looks well placed to break his duck and also break a lean spell for Ho who has gone 48 rides since visiting the winners circle. The former class two horse looks well placed at the top of class four and his last two runs show he is running into form.
Two starts back he ran a respectable third, which was all the better when you consider that he he had not raced for almost four months prior to that outing.
Last start he came home quite strongly to finish second to Ever The Best, and the former has franked that form by running a very good second two days ago at Sha Tin in a fairly competitive event.
How Free should have no problems going round the tight Valley bends this afternoon having already mastered the course by running second over course and distance last season in a grade higher.
Great Dancer put in a most improved run last start and had a smart win over 1,200 metres at Sha Tin and he looks the one How Free may have most to fear from. Top Lad has not raced for almost 144 days but has been working reasonably well and must have a place chance, but How Free looks set to have his day along with Great Dancer for the main quinella.