Caspar Fownes and Patrick Payne can continue the momentum they finished with last season when they team up with Northern Rose, who looks a standout selection for banker in the final leg of the Triple Trio on opening day.
The striking son of Flying Childers Stakes (Group 2, 1,000 metres) winner Distinctly North has shown gradual progression from his eight career starts, six of which came last term. He finished no worse than fourth last season and indicated in a turf barrier trial last weekend that he is primed to take all the beating on his seasonal reappearance.
Danny Shum Chap-shing has his yard more forward than most, evidence of which was Harvey Mudd's performance last weekend when winning a turf trial. He is a winner over 1,400 metres and must be given due respect.
The booking of Douglas Whyte aboard Hip Hip Hooray is worth noting. Although he failed to score last term, he displayed above average potential and merits strong consideration once again. Sir Humor has the scope to improve further and warrants inclusion, while Universal Pioneer shaped nicely in a pre-season trial and cannot be ruled out.
Former griffin Gallant Falcon makes most appeal for banker selection in the opening leg. Tony Millard has the lightly raced galloper well forward in his preparation and with natural improvement from last term he should find this a quite easy test.
King Of Spades won an all-weather trial recently indicating he has maintained his condition from last season and he is capable of hitting the frame.
Ideally Triumph would prefer further than 1,600 metres at Sha Tin but he certainly comes into the equation here based on his better form from last term. He is competitively weighted and must be kept safe.
