THIS week’s column, during the heart of the National Hunt season, has a predominantly flat coverage, thanks for some valuable contests being run in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong. It is to the latter we go for my next pedigree examination.

California Spangle, bred in Ireland by Michael Enright, is a four-year-old son of Starspangledbanner (Choisir), and this €150,000 Goffs Orby Sale graduate gained his sixth win in eight starts with a fine win the Listed Hong Kong Classic Cup. In winning this, his first stakes success, he reversed form with Romantic Warrior who had beaten him in the Hong Kong Classic Mile. This time the pair had to race an extra furlong. Tony Cruz trains the winner.