Hong Kong briefing: all the news about Happy Valley on Wednesday

The best is saved until last at Happy Valley on Wednesday as the Class 2 Maurice Handicap (2.50) features a host of smart handicappers plus recent winner Playa Del Puente.

The three-year-old was highly progressive for Michael Halford last winter and bolted up from the front over course and distance last month but a similarly soft lead is unlikely with the freewheeling Buddies in opposition and stall 10 is seldom a positive over a mile at the Valley.

Danny Shum's gelding won't be missed in the market with Joao Moreira aboard again but the horse who chased him home last time might just be under-rated.

Happy Dragon also spent his early days with Halford – winning a Naas maiden when known as Yulong Xionghu in June 2017 – and has more than paid his way with three Hong Kong wins and just over £400,000 in prize money. He's looked better than ever in two runs this season and the combination of low draw and a 9lb pull with Playa Del Puente mark him as one to keep an eye on.

Badel's French flair impresses Gibson

"Hong Kong is a better place with him."

That was the way in which Sha Tin’s resident trainer Richard Gibson reacted to Alexis Badel's first winner of his latest Hong Kong stint and the popular French rider is back in action again after guiding Unicornbaby to a narrow success on Saturday.

Alexis Badel: enjoyed a winner at Sha Tin on SaturdayCredit: Mark Cranham

Badel's latest French campaign was marred by facial injuries sustained in a bad fall but his charm and positivity has made him popular with owners and trainers in Hong Kong. That success was nicely timed with Silvestre de Sousa set to enhance the strength of a powerful jockeys' room from Sunday onwards.

"It's all about competition so I just have to be good," said Badel. "Silvestre is on a short-term contract and he is a great example for me. I need to try and win a G1 this season."

Moreira booking suggests Eagle can soar on Valley debut

Hong Kong handicappers seldom make it easy for relatively exposed winners to follow up and two such horses will be trying to buck the trend in the Wayfoong Centenary Bowl (1.15).

Mr Picasso had little to spare when scoring under Zac Purton last week and now has a rise in class and a high draw to contend with, while Happy Warrior has been raised 5lb for winning what looked an ordinary race.

Purton's presence is notable as Perfect Glory drops to Class 3 level, but the booking of Joao Moreira for Lone Eagle looks even more significant.

Ricky Yiu's five-year-old caught the eye when third on his last two starts at Sha Tin, meeting trouble on the first occasion then showing up boldly in a warm contest on the second.

This is his first visit to the Valley but he has plenty of speed and, with Moreira up for the first time, everything looks in place for Lone Eagle to go very close.

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