Thank Heavens looks heaven sent for punters in the fourth event on 10-race Chevalier Cup day at Sha Tin this afternoon.
The David Oughton-trained colt looked dreadfully unlucky last time out in the race won by Winning Boy from New Trumps over today's 1,400-metre course and distance.
The official result shows he was two lengths seventh of the 14 runners but it conceals much more than it reveals.
The Douglas Whyte-ridden Thank Heavens turned for home full of running but simply had no where to go. He was completely blocked for a good 100 metres or so and appeared to lose more ground than the two lengths by which he was beaten.
It is no exaggeration to say that with a clear run, Thank Heavens might well have prevailed in what was probably a better contest than he's in this afternoon.
Interestingly, Whyte won in facile fashion on Handover last time out for Bruce Hutchison but has opted instead to ride Thank Heavens who actually showed up well in Class Two last season and was a resolute sort when trained in England.
Oughton's son of Theatrical Charmer has appeared to work well since his luckless last start effort and could even start at win and place odds.