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

Apolar Fighter
10.40 Happy Valley
2pts win

Wrote A New Page
2.15 Happy Valley
2pts win

Gustosisimo
2.50 Happy Valley
2pts win

James McDonald is back in Hong Kong for a five-week stint before Christmas and can kick off with success aboard the promising Wrote A New Page in the Class 3 1m1f handicap (2.15) at Happy Valley. 

It is no surprise punters eagerly await the return of McDonald, who has ridden a total of 62 winners on his fleeting visits to Hong Kong over the years. 

Wrote A New Page is the shortest-priced of his six rides today, and it is reassuring that through the four-year-old he links up with Danny Shum ahead of Romantic Warrior's reappearance after 232 days in the Jockey Club Cup on November 23. 

Weight differences take on less importance with young types such as Wrote A New Page, who is rapidly improving, but for the record, he meets Excellence Value 4lb better for being beaten a short head last month. 

This should bring about a reversal of the placings, while another talented four-year-old, the Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Vino, also enters calculations following his eye-catching last run when he made up enormous ground for fifth over a mile at Sha Tin. This trip will suit him. 

The nine-race card starts with a nice opportunity for David Eustace to chalk up another win with Apolar Fighter in the Class 5 handicap (10.40) over the extended mile. The gelding has gone up 9lb for an easy win over course and distance when he appeared to have plenty up his sleeve. 

The booking of Zac Purton for the Brett Crawford-trained Draco is significant and ensures the gelding will start at cramped odds on his first start for his new stable, having transferred from Ricky Yiu. His last effort hinted at a good showing here. 

Purton is aboard Soleil Fighter in the final Class 2 handicap (2.50) over the extended mile, but he can expect plenty of opposition from Gustosisimo, with Hugh Bowman reunited with the gelding, who he last partnered in a race in December.

Bowman takes over from Angus Chung as Gustosisimo attempts the mile for the first time and the way he finishes off his races suggests he should see out the trip. Soleil Fighter should be his biggest danger.

Happy Valley Placepot perm

12.10
5 Take Action
10 Glorious Ryder

12.40
2 Robot Lucky Star
7 Star Figure

1.10
5 Looks Outstanding
10 Super Universal

1.45
1 Chateauneuf
4 King Miles

2.15
2 Excellence Value
4 Wrote A New Page

2.50
5 Soleil Fighter
7 Gustosisimo

2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 64 lines

Bets can be placed into Hong Kong pools with the Tote. The first race at Happy Valley on Wednesday is at 10.40am. 

Sign up to the Tote here. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. One welcome offer per customer. Bet a minimum of £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration to qualify. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 sports Free Bet and 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet slip. 7-day expiry. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org.