JOYFUL CHAMPION

Two weeks ago, this horse delivered a strong performance over Sha Tin 2000m, jumping moderately and settling towards the back before accelerating in the final two sections to finish second, beaten by half a length. A recent Happy Valley 1800m trial saw the horse perform well. This time, it races without any additional weight, with comparable times within its group, and an advantageous barrier draw. The jockey understands how to manage the horse’s pace, and there is strong trust between jockey and trainer; a holding-on finish is expected.