IN THE week when Kauto Star was named ROA horse of the year it seems appropriate that we focus on one of the races he won so comfortably last year. The Group One Paddypower.com Tingle Creek is definitely the big race this weekend and even without last year’s winner it should be a cracker.  A case can be made for any number of the runners, that’s how good a field it is, but I’m going take a chance on the flamboyant and unpredictable Ashley Brook.  Not necessarily a horse to have the rent on, nevertheless he’s a class act over 2m and if his jumping stands up he can carry off this prize.  The prevailing soft conditions should hold no fears and he has stamina to run well over further so the petrol gauge wouldn’t be running out up the tough Sandown hill.  Ensure that Saturday’s not too heavy a night so you can watch Ricky Hatton win in the early hours of Sunday morning and then watch the European challenge in the last big flat meeting of the year in Hong Kong.  The likes of Dylan Thomas, Ramonti, Benbaun and Excellent Art will be lining up but my selection is an ex-pat who’s been a revelation since his switch to Hong Kong.  Viva Pataca, formerly known as Comic Strip to British racegoers, this horse is a multiple champion now and should have the local advantage to claim yet another top prize for trainer J. Moore and jockey Mick Kinane in the Group One Hong Kong Cup.

 Selections – 2.35 Sandown, 1 Ashley Brook

                                                                    8.30 Sha Tin (Sunday), 3 Viva Pataca