Hong Kong expert Jim McGrath with three bets for Wednesday's Happy Valley card

Victoriam
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Blastoise
3.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Delightful Laos
3.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

The French have been popular with masses of punters this week, providing high class action from Paris, and that appreciation could be carried over to Happy Valley on Wednesday when Antoine Hamelin takes a full book of nine rides.

When it comes to popularity, Hamelin is right up there with the best French exports to Hong Kong. Philippe Paquet, Olivier Doleuze and Gerald Mosse were all greatly admired and followed, and Hamelin is already in the same league.

The ex-Alain de Royer-Dupre apprentice has strength and timing in the saddle that sets him apart and both attributes will be called up on another tricky card at the city track.

Hamelin’s best may prove to be consistent Blastoise in the Class 3 1m 1f handicap (3.15), in which the gelding faces 11 rivals, including strong stayer Above, the mount of Joao Moreira, who also boasts a full book.

Blastoise has been placed in seven of his last eight starts, and despite going up in the handicap for a course and distance win on March 11, he still looks well in. Hamelin has never ridden him on raceday, but from a handy draw in stall three, expect him to travel in behind the pace on the rail throughout.

Above was responsible for an emphatic win in a lower grade at Sha Tin two starts back before disappointing last time. Considering his stamina-laden pedigree, this son of Tavistock should not be discarded on one below-par run, especially if there is the prospect of this becoming a true staying test.

Nobody rides Happy Valley better than Zac Purton, who will be eager to chalk up more valuable winners in his ongoing title battle with Moreira, and Victoriam, in the Class 3 6f sprint handicap (2.45) could be the best of his six rides.

Already the winner of three of 11 starts, the four-year-old has heaps of potential and remains in great form. He should get a good run throughout from stall seven, though Harmony Spirit, an ex-William Haggas-trained Ascot winner now with Douglas Whyte, is set to run a big race.

Tony Cruz saddles newcomer California Concord, who was two from nine with the Snowdens in Sydney. He is also a chance, with a good run anticipated first-up.

Cruz also saddles winning chance Delightful Laos in the finale, the Class 3 handicap, over the extended mile (3.50), and the gelding would only have to run up to his impressive debut win last start to take this. He won a Dundalk maiden when trained in Ireland but clearly he is just as good on turf.

Bets can be placed into HK pools with Ladbrokes, Coral and the Tote

TOTE PLACEPOT

Race 4 (1st leg): 3, 9
Race 5 (2nd leg): 2, 4
Race 6 (3rd leg): 3, 11
Race 7 (4th leg): 1, 2
Race 8 (5th leg): 7, 8
Race 9 (6th leg): 2, 5

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