Hong Kong Cup Preview

Rivals could prove vulnerable to Attack in the Hong Kong Cup.

Cirrus des Aigles needs little introduction to British racing fans. A stalwart of the Flat scene, the veteran performer has been won a number of top prizes, including the British Champion Stakes at Ascot in 2011. Earlier this year old age had seemingly caught up with the seven-year-old gelding as he struggled to make an impact even in Group 3 company. However, Cirrus des Aigles bounced back to form later in the season, winning without needing to be at his best at Maisons-Laffitte and Longchamp, and he looked better still when a highly-creditable runner-up to Farhh in the Champion Stakes.

On the ratings, Cirrus des Aigles wasn't far below his very best at Ascot. However, it should be noted that the ground was soft at Ascot - a surface on which Cirrus des Aigles excels - and the suspicion is that underfoot conditions played a big part in sparking his revival.

It is a worry that Cirrus des Aigles has yet to win at Sha Tin, twice beaten in this race and once in the Hong Kong Cup, and the feeling is that if he couldn't win at the peak of his powers he may struggle now. He is the most talented horse in the race but there has to be a concern about whether he will be capable of producing his best.

Military Attack - who used to race under the name of Rave when trained by John Hills in Britain - has been a revelation since moving to Hong Kong and narrowly heads the market. Military Attack wasn't at his best in the Jockey Club Cup, finishing behind the re-opposing Endowing, but the best of his form gives him solid claims. Crucially, unlike Cirrus des Aigles, Military Attack has proven fully effective around Sha Tin and it isn't difficult to envisage him bouncing back.

Cirrus des Aigles and Military Attack are clear on the figures but should they fail to fire - which is by no means inconceivable - Little Mike looks best placed to benefit. He was disappointing in his bid for back-to-back Breeders' Cup Turf successes but he probably did too much on the front end and should be forgiven. He has run well over ten furlongs in the past, notably when winning the Arlington Million, and shouldn't be dismissed. Grandeur and Side Glance are others that are likely to run well but probably hold place claims at best.

Military Attack was in fantastic form in Hong Kong in the early part of the year and he will surely go close if recapturing that level of form. He is narrowly preferred in a tricky contest.

Timeform weight-adjusted ratings:

Cirrus des Aigles 147

Little Mike 138

Grandeur 135