Only a small field will contest this evening's Group 3 Woodlands Classic Stakes, with the Patrick Shaw trained Emperor's Banquet well placed to return to the winner's stall.

A notable second placing behind his stablemate Quechua, in the Group 1 Singapore Gold Cup, Emperor's Banquet was arguably in need of a run last start, when finishing fourth in the New Year Cup.

Unable to reel in either of his stablemates, his performance still held merit, and he should improve sharply for this event.

Emperor's Banquet is proven to perform at his best with 22-28 days between runs, having placed in three of five attempts, including two victories.

The return to the turf track also bodes well for his chances, with the five-year-old placing in 10 of 16 attempts on the short course.

Following the New Year Cup, Emperor's Banquet was given a decent hit-out at the trials, in which he saluted comfortably, in fairly slick time.

A stark improvement to his two previous trials, in which he was beaten seven lengths and eight lengths respectively.

Leading jockey Barend Vorster continues his association with the five-year-old, having placed in six of 12 attempts, including four of his seven victories.

In the small field, Emperor's Banquet is expected to settle midfield from the awkward draw, tracking stablemate In Fact, with the Hideyuki Takaoka trained Brilliant Deal taking up the running.

Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings, Emperor's Banquet does shape as the horse to beat, with his effort in the Gold Cup, seeing him very well placed.

While below his best last start, Emperor's Banquet should improve sharply and be right in the finish.

Stablemate In Fact was quite the surprise packet behind Quechua last start and is clearly one of the main dangers.

A lightly raced son of Lode, In Fact went close to landing one of the upsets of the season, when only narrowly beaten in the New Year Cup.

Improving sharply on his performance two back, In Fact went to a new peak improving 11 pounds using Timeform ratings.

Rising one-and-a-half kilograms at the weights, he is required to take another step, given he meets a majority of his rivals worse off at the weights.

Nonetheless in what was his first performance beyond 1800m, In Fact displayed good improvement and is tipped to show similar progression, stepping up to 2000m.

Shaw has labelled In Fact one of his two Derby horses, and hence he remains under strong notice.

Brilliant Deal proved too good up on the speed last start and has to be kept safe, as he appears to get the race run to suit.

The only leader engaged, Brilliant Deal is likely to get his own way in front and should give plenty of cheek in the straight.

On his best form, he isn't rated far off the leading contenders and has to be respected.

Of the rest the Bruce Marsh trained Knight's Command cannot be taken lightly with Manoel Nunes sticking aboard.

A notable third placing in the New Year Cup, Knight's Command is racing in good form of late and has placed in 10 of 17 attempts on the short course.

Using Timeform weight adjusted ratings, his performances behind War Affair in the Kranji Mile and Raffles Cup, see him well placed and he has to be considered.

Good luck and happy punting.