Hong Kong racing tips: Jim McGrath with three selections at Happy Valley

Hardly Swears
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Big Two
2.45 Happy Valley
2pts win

Comet Splendido
3.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Fresh blood is always needed to reinvigorate the jockey ranks, and Lyle Hewitson, who is eager to seize all opportunities, can kickstart his season by winning the Community Chest Cup (2.45) aboard Big Two at Happy Valley on Wednesday.

Hewitson, 24, is a triple South African champion and makes no secret of his ambition to force his way into the top bracket. After a disappointing start in Hong Kong, he bounced back to ride 27 winners last term and be acknowledged as a rising star.

No fewer than 20 of those winners were trained by local legend Douglas Whyte, who has taken Hewitson under his wing and promoted him to his owners. Whyte has already announced his young protege as the new rider for Russian Emperor, the Gold Cup winner.

Big Two is a long way short of Russian Emperor's standard, but he is progressive in this grade and ready to build on his long-awaited first win at the course in July. Whyte has him well prepared, running him in a barrier trial 12 days ago.

Harry Bentley is reunited with Sparky Star, on whom he won a Sha Tin 7f handicap in May. He should sneak a place here, but like Big Two, he must contend with a wide draw which can be awkward from the extended mile start.

Bentley also has excellent prospects when he partners lightly raced Comet Splendido in the Class 3 1m½f handicap (3.15). This import won three from five for trainer Grant Tuer, ending his British career on a high note by winning a York handicap.

Vincent Ho was aboard when the gelding finished a close second over 1m1f on his last start, but he will not be inconvenienced by the drop back in distance. The very useful World Famous is the danger in an open race.

Zac Purton started his new season much the way he ended his last, with a winning treble at Sha Tin on Sunday, and he can keep up the momentum by taking the Class 4 6f handicap (2.15) on Hardly Swears for new trainer Pierre Ng.

In the most significant jockey booking of the meeting, the first-season trainer has secured the services of the champion on a horse he has picked up from rival Jimmy Ting. It may prove to be a telling move.

Happy Valley Placepot

1.15
2 Valiant Elegance
5 Super Axiom

1.45
1 Goodmanship
5 Wins All

2.15
4 Hardly Swears
8 Take What You Need

2.45
2 Big Two
3 Sparky Star

3.15
7 World Famous
8 Comet Splendido

3.50
1 Nicconi County
5 Beauty Glory

2x2x2x2x2x2 = 64 lines

Sign up here. New customers online only. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £/€5 and win or lose you will receive £/€20 Tote Credit. £/€20 Tote Credit rewarded as £/€10 redeemable against racing bets only and £/€10 redeemable against UK and Irish Placepot bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires after seven days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the betslip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org.