RACING in Hong Kong returns to Happy Valley on Wednesday, with a nine-race programme featuring the valuable nine-furlong Class Two Tai Tam Gap Handicap (3.15pm).

A field of 11 line up that have already won 26 races between them at the track. With that including 11 over this distance, there’s sure to be plenty of head scratching from form book students as they weigh up who will prove best in this competitive handicap.

Packing Angel and Armor Golden Eagle bring the best recent form, having both won with plenty to spare over the extended mile trip on their last starts.

The question is whether they can see out the extra half-furlong against some strong stayers.

Packing Angel beat a handful of these rivals when winning here last month but had previously disappointed when only eighth over nine furlongs in March. His jockey Lyle Hewitson reported to the stewards after that contest that his mount would be better suited to dropping back in trip in future, which tempers enthusiasm about the five-year-old.

Armor Golden Eagle seeks a hat-trick and backs up after a comfortable victory last week. He now steps up in class against some battle-hardened gallopers, and despite carrying 11 pounds less in the saddle, he still faces a stiff test and will need to improve further.

Both Soleil Fighter and Liveandletlive are at their best when dictating the pace, suggesting there could be a speed battle from the off. That will suit strong stayers Californiatotality and the well-drawn Beauty Alliance in particular, who is a dual course and distance winner and races over his favourite track and trip for the first time since last July.

Trainer David Eustace tasted his first Group success in Hong Kong when Light Years Charm won at Sha Tin last Sunday and will seek further glory with progressive galloper SILVERY BREEZE.

The son of Dundeel has been crying out to run over this distance all season, having attempted it only once, when a heavily backed favourite but brought down during a race at Sha Tin last year.

Although he has won twice over the extended mile this season, he has needed every inch of that distance, getting up on the line on both occasions and will be seen in a much better light racing over further.

Zac Purton is an eye-catching booking for the five-year-old, and with the inside gate in stall one setting him up for a rails-hugging journey, he should be hard to stop in the closing stages.

Earlier on the card, the HKJC Racing Club can have a welcome winner when YOUNG ARROW seeks to defy top-weight in division one of the six-furlong Wong Nai Chung Gap Handicap (12.40pm).

The Douglas Whyte-trained five-year-old has had no luck in his last two races, finding trouble when coming to win his race in April and finishing strongly from the outside gate last month.

Having run well against better company than he meets here, and coming from a better draw, he can have no excuse this time.

POINTERS

Young Arrow             12.40pm            Happy Valley

Silvery Breeze             3.15pm             Happy Valley