Free betting tips for the IJC card at Happy Valley| The Hong Kong File

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Global aces set for battle on the Valley’s big night

A dozen star jockeys contesting four handicaps worth £750,000 on a racecourse that poses a severe challenge for horses, riders and gamblers alike.

That’s the short summary of the Longines International Jockeys’ Championship and anyone who thinks they have the Happy Valley puzzle cracked is cruising for a bruising.

Wednesday’s showpiece is always a vibrant occasion – and this year’s line-up is exceptional – but sorting the hawks from the pigeons is tough.

Early signs suggest it will be 7-2 the field in two of the three legs, and the fourth is almost as tough, so let’s hope the following hints prove helpful

12.10 (1000m)

The draw isn’t a huge factor over the minimum trip and taking one from low and another from high could be the way to go.

Will Buick was beaten a nose on Lean Master in this race last year but he partners BUNTA BABY this time and Manfred Man’s muscular gelding looks fairly treated on the back of a strong finishing second (hampered early) here recently.

A cleaner passage should give him every chance to go well again, while HEALTHY HEALTHY has run two sound races since dropping to Class 4 and has James McDonald for the first time as he attempts to give weight all round from the outside alley.

12.40 (1650m)

Corleone made his rivals an offer they couldn’t refuse over course and distance last month, forging clear late under Bowman, but the market won’t be missing him under Moore after an 8lb hike.

Fortunate Son is better than he showed when forced wide last time but a dollar each way on STAR MAC looks a prudent call for J-Mac and David Hayes.

This gelding has lost 13 in a row since whizzing up the inner to score at the Valley last January but he’s well treated as a result and his latest fourth, coming home strongly from a poor tactical spot, hints that he’s back to the sort of mark he can go well from

13.40 (1650m)

This is a 4-1 the field contest however you slice it but MAX QUE and SILVERY BREEZE – who fought out a thrilling finish over 1400m at Sha Tin in October – hold brighter claims than most.

Silvery Breeze came to the Valley for the first time five weeks ago and ran a belter, coming home strongly to bustle up an unexposed rival, and the in-form Bowman looks a good booking.

The 1lb rise he incurred for that fine effort looks very fair, while Max Que doesn’t have Valley experience but is a likeable, consistent customer who looks all set to run another solid race under Vincent Ho.

14.10 (1200m)

Barzalona seized the IJC crown by defying gate 12 on Aurora Lady in this race last year and the presence of several fast front runners – notably the hardy Wonderstar and the progressive Mr Desira and Tourbillon Golfer - might just help those drawn high to offset the usual 1200m low to middle bias again.

KYRUS DRAGON came widest of all to finish second under Colin Keane twelve months ago and his latest Valley third – beaten narrowly in a wild blanket finish – hints that he can give Purton a good spin.

Bowman feels POWER KOEPP could be vulnerable to improvers from his current mark. And he might be right, but Mark Newnham’s gelding has been progressing nicely this season and his latest close third under the Aussie suggests that he’s ready to go close again if the early leaders overdo things.

Wednesday’s IJC Views

• 12.10: Bunta Baby/Healthy Healthy
• 12.40: Star Mac (EW)
• 13.40: Silvery Breeze/Max Que
• 14.10: Power Koepp/Kyrus Dragon

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