Vincent Ho Chak-yiu hopes teaming up with an old friend can prove a big boost to his chances when he bids to defend his Longines International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) crown at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.

Out to join Douglas Whyte, Ryan Moore and Zac Purton as the only riders to retain the IJC, Ho will continue his successful association with the Caspar Fownes-trained Jumbo Legend, whom he steered to a barnstorming victory at the city circuit last time out.

“I think my book is not too bad,” Ho said. “I know Jumbo Legend very well and it’s good to be riding him again.”

“There’s a great atmosphere and these races are great fun. I just enjoy being out there and competing at the same racetrack as all the top jockeys, so I’ll just do my best and see how it goes.”

The 34-year-old, who became the first home-grown winner of the IJC last year, also partners Parents’ Love, Lucky Banner and Super Joy N Fun in this season’s renewal of the HK$1.5 million event, which features 12 of the world’s best riders.

The Jockey Club allocates rides for the IJC using a system designed to make the four-leg contest as competitive as possible, ensuring the better winning chances across the competition are spread evenly.

Assessing his book of rides, Ho highlighted Jumbo Legend in the third leg – a Class Three over 1,650m – as his best chance of success, with the jockey looking for a fifth win aboard the son of Hinchinbrook.

He also hopes the Benno Yung Tin-pang-trained Super Joy N Fun can take a step forward from gate six in the final leg of the event after jumping from barrier 12 on his past two starts.

“Jumbo Legend won very well last time and he’s drawn two on the A course, so that should help,” Ho said. “Hopefully there will be some pace on for him as well.

“Of the rest, I’m not really too familiar with [Super Joy N Fun] but he had a bit of bad luck on his last two starts in draw 12. Hopefully this time from draw six he can win.”

Jumbo Legend is one of seven horses representing Fownes in the IJC, with the four-time champion handler chasing the HK$300,000 bonus given to the trainer with the most points across the four races.

Mauritian rider Karis Teetan teams up with Fownes in the final leg, a Class Three over 1,200m, with Sugar Sugar looking for consecutive wins at Happy Valley.

Teetan, who won the IJC in 2019, is pleased with his squad of horses as he hunts for the HK$600,000 first prize.

“I’ve come out of [the ride allocation] OK,” Teetan said. “I think the one who stands out is Champion Method [in the first leg] with the good gate [two].

“It’s one of the events we all want to compete in and let’s hope it can be a nice night on Wednesday night.”

Kiwi star James McDonald has been gifted a favourable draw aboard the David Hayes-trained Chateauneuf in the final leg, with the two-time winner jumping from barrier four in the 12-runner field.

“[Chateauneuf] looks a good chance and it’s a brilliant series to be involved in,” McDonald said.

The prestigious competition kicks off at 8.10pm and works on a points-based system, with 12 points for a win, six points for a second and four points for a third.

Zac Purton, Hugh Bowman, Colin Keane, Hollie Doyle, Mickael Barzalona, Rachel King, Ryan Moore, William Buick and Yuga Kawada complete the elite field.