Graham Cunningham's Hong Kong Briefing: Up for the Chevalier Cup

Two weeks to go until the stars come out for HKIR and the pace of play in HK is accelerating. Highly regarded youngsters top the bill for Sha Tin's Sunday card and Sky Sports Racing will have all the action with the featured Chevalier Cup due to jump at 8.10.

If time is tight, go for the 'Ten Things You Need To Know' angle and run for the hills. It's a mantra that has served many a harassed scribbler well down the years and will certainly suffice for this one at present.

1: Super Soumy is back

Back from a bout of Covid-19 and in for a two-month HK deal starting on HKIR day (December 13th). Belgian ace Christophe Soumillon arrived on Thursday night and will complete quarantine before aiming to repeat last year's HK Mile win aboard Japanese raider Admire Mars.

2: Caspar Fownes is flying

And celebrated his 500th Happy Valley success on Wednesday night when Alexis Badel brought Explosive Witness home in front. "I love this track," he said. "It doesn’t matter if it’s Class Five or G1, I’m passionate and I want to give it everything.”

3: Sometimes a treble isn't enough

Zac Purton bounced back to form with a Valley treble when former Gosden galloper Holy Heart won the Valley nightcap. But arch rival Joao Moreira matched him winner for winner and the Brazilian remains 15 clear with 42 winners who have collected almost £5m.

4: Badel and Callan seal International Jockeys Challenge slots

Alexis Badel already looked locked in for the December 9th showdown before his Valley double and Callan sealed the final slot. The Irishman said: "It's special because HK has given my family such a good life for the last seven years, so to represent HK just means a little bit more.”

5: Visiting riders travelling in style

There are worse ways to travel to HK than via private jet and that is what visiting IJC riders will be doing after it was confirmed that messrs Moore, Marquand, Doyle and Buick will occupy one PJ with the French duo of Boudot and Barzalona in another. Total cost to the HKJC? Just the £400,000 for all international riders and staff according to a report by the SCMP's Tom Biddington.

6: Magic Man missing Mum as fourth wave continues

Moreira is one of several overseas stars who have been unable to visit relatives for upwards of a year and the Magic Man is clearly looking forward to the post-vaccine era. "I do have relatives in Brazil that have tested positive but all of them have been able to cope," he said. "There's no doubt Brazil is the place I want to go next just to give a big hug and kiss to my Mum, who I miss so much."

7: Euro imports out in force

Showing your hand to the assessors comes at a cost and the four Euro imports in Sunday's Chevalier Cup (8.10) look up against it. Former Bolger winner Fast Most Furious heads them with Callan aboard but is 13lb higher than for his win in this race last year and could be vulnerable to younger foes.

8: Express's time to get Lucky?

Sky Darci is bound to corner a chunk of the market for Fownes and Moreira after two impressive Valley wins but Lucky Express looks every bit as dangerous. John Size's gelding looked unlucky here two weeks ago, finishing powerfully having been left poorly placed in a tactical race, and the handicapper has been fair in leaving him rated 92.

9: Tango takes first step towards the big dance

There's no question that Berlin Tango was bought out of Andrew Balding's yard with the 2021 HK Derby in mind. Now with Tony Cruz, the Dansili gelding trialled very well at the Valley recently but stall 14 looks a concern for his HK bow in the 1400m finale at 9.50.

10: Hayes holding out for a Derby Hero

Shadow Hero has been one of HK's buzz horses for weeks now and Aussie trainer David Hayes is expecting the Randwick Guineas winner to make a bold debut against Berlin Tango and co. "He's settled into HK really well,' he said. "I'm hoping for a really good run and that he can be one of the main Derby contenders as the races get longer."