This is not much of a race to kick the Happy Valley card off, with the safest play probably being SWEET BEAN. The Fownes/Purton combination makes plenty of appeal (4:1-2-1-0 already this season) and Sweet Bean is a relatively consistent-enough galloper in the lowest grade. EASTERN PROWESS has had the benefit of a run already this term and the manner in which he worked to line over 1650m last week was encouraging. He was definitely doing his best work late, as his last 200m attested too, and IF he can “box seat” in this event, then his chances are great enhanced. WEALTHY FORTUNE has posted some very good figures in the past but is zero-from-seven first-up, which is the worry. That said, his bodyweight is around the right mark for him. PROUD SKY is another that will appreciate the move up in trip, and will improve following his fresh-up run, but he doesn’t win out of turn.

Note: HOLY UNICORN has come up the early favourite for rookie trainer Jimmy Ting. His training career has started off well with three wins from six starters, but Holy Unicorn is a 27-start maiden.