Hong Kong Preview & Best Bets – 20/12/2023

Hong Kong Tips for Wednesday, December 20

Our form expert provides Hong Kong tips for tonight’s horse racing at Happy Valley Racecourse and gives his best bets.

BEST BET 🏆

Race 3:  No.8  GALLANT VALOUR  ($3.20 with bet365)

The Jamie Richards-trained GALLANT VALOUR is third-up tonight and nearing his peak, he can figure in this contest. Last start, the Heroic Valour gelding showed plenty of improvement when he beat all but two home in a Class 4 Hcp, here over 1200m. He drew gate 10 that night and was trapped wide throughout. James McDonald is the pilot for this assignment as the three-year-old draws much better tonight in gate three. From there, he maps to sit right behind the speed and with a clear passage home, he should prove hard to beat.

NEXT BEST 🥈

Race 5:  No.7  HAPPY TOGETHER  ($11 with bet365) 

The Frankie Lor-trained HAPPY TOGETHER is in top-shelf form this time in and has what it takes to roll the odds-on favourite (Chill Chibi) tonight. Last start, the Irish-bred gelding came off a Class 2 win over the mile at Sha Tin when he stepped up to Class 1 company and did well to grab third prize in that strong field over the same course and distance. Alex Badel has been with him in all three starts this campaign and been on board for three of his four career wins. Dropping back in grade tonight, he draws well in gate five and maps to settle mid-field with cover. With Badel steering the ship again, he looks a genuine chance of spoiling the party here at odds.

BEST VALUE 💰 

Race 8:  No.9  ACT OF FAITH  ($9.10 with BoomBet)

John Size saddles-up ACT OF FAITH here who has found his mojo recently and looks well placed here to take on the stronger Class 3 gallopers and make things interesting at odds tonight. Two starts back, the Press Statement gelding finished runner-up in a Class 4, here over 1200m before going one better last start and with 61kgs, winning in similar company over the same track and distance. Anthony Hamelin returns to the saddle tonight where he has his third ride on the galloper. Gate six looks ideal for him as he maps to settle near mid-field with cover. Whilst he is facing stronger opposition, he benefit by carrying 5.5kgs less in weight and now five starts into this preparation, he looks one of the main chances here.