The CSL Million Challenge winds down to its thrilling conclusion in the Kwai Fong Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley tonight and the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained Tai Sing Yeh is out of contention, but that should only finish all the more nail-biting. Tai Sing Yeh (Brett Prebble) has been the best horse to come through the six-month series for Class Three horses and above this season, but he won't be the winner of it as even maximum points in the finale won't be sufficient. The three-year-old has

The CSL Million Challenge winds down to its thrilling conclusion in the Kwai Fong Handicap (1,200m) at Happy Valley tonight and the Manfred Man Ka-leung-trained Tai Sing Yeh is out of contention, but that should only finish all the more nail-biting. Tai Sing Yeh (Brett Prebble) has been the best horse to come through the six-month series for Class Three horses and above this season, but he won't be the winner of it as even maximum points in the finale won't be sufficient.

The three-year-old has 34 points, 19 behind Loyal Army, who sits in the driver's seat and with only 15 available this evening - but Tai Sing Yeh still looks the standout in the race that could make minor points, yet prove the deciding factor for the Million Challenge. Five horses engaged this time can win the series: Norman Invader, who must win race six to have any chance; Strawberry, in the same boat in the seventh; and Loyal Army, Good Strike and Nugget Warrior are all engaged in the last race.

Should Loyal Army (Andreas Suborics) win, then there is nothing to discuss but, if Tai Sing Yeh wins as is expected of short-priced favourites, things will be far more interesting if Norman Invader or Strawberry happened to win earlier.

If Tai Sing Yeh goes over, then the equations open up, but even from an awkward draw in barrier 10 he looks the winner.

A horse destined for better things, the son of Not A Single Doubt failed to overcome a difficult gate last time when he protested successfully to wind up third to El Zonda, but that was over 1,000m.

Ultimately, when he ventures across to Sha Tin, Tai Sing Yeh might find himself well suited by 1,400m, so the drop last time to the minimum trip - unavoidable for Man if he was to have had a shot at the Million Challenge with the horse - wasn't the perfect recipe.

www.racing.scmp.com