HKJC World Pool Thoroughbred Stakes (Group 3)

Andab has been consistently thereabouts, placing second and third in four of his last five starts before a seventh last time out, and he has run over today's trip. The concern is that 41 days off the track may have left him short of peak sharpness.

Returned to winning ways two starts back, but unplaced last time out casts doubt on his consistency; he has run over today's trip and carries 129 lb from stall five, while a speed rating of 94 suggests he may need to find more against stronger company.

Winless in his last five starts and ranked sixth of seven on our figures, Five Ways faces a stiff task here; he has run over today's trip and returns on a reasonable 20-day break from stall one, but the modest recent form — two fourths the best of it — makes him hard to fancy.

Saber Strike arrives here third last time out, and a winner three starts back, with his official mark of 107 underlining his class; the sixth two starts back is the main concern.

Shayem arrives here in fine nick — a winner last time out and second two starts back, with experience over today's trip and a fit 22-day turnaround; the main risk is whether 129 lb blunts his late effort.