There are two clear stand-outs in Sunday’s Classic Cup (1,800m), but history suggests the second leg of the four-year-old series can produce a surprise result.

While favourites have a good recent record with five saluting in the past nine years, there have been some major upsets including It Has To Be You ($126), Mission Tycoon ($92), Thunder Fantasy ($23) and Healthy Happy ($22) since 2013.

The SCMP has ranked the top 10 contenders for Sunday’s HK$13 million feature.

1. Little Paradise

Announcing himself as a potential future star, Little Paradise overcame a troubled run to storm to a stunning victory in the Classic Mile on February 1.

Badly held up for clear running between the 400m and 200m, Jimmy Ting Koon-ho’s exploded with a powerful finishing burst once Vincent Ho Chak-yiu hooked him into the clear to round up his rivals quickly.

Having dispelled a distance query in his two-length victory, he looks set to handle the 1,800m on Sunday and will prove very hard to beat.

2. Numbers

Frankie Lor Fu-chuen’s import has created an instant impression in Hong Kong with two consecutive wins, including a comfortable two-length success in the Group Three Centenary Vase (1,800m) last start.

A strong front-running stayer, Numbers will be dangerous if he gets an easy time in the lead and has undeniable claims in the Classic Cup and BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) on March 22.

3. Beauty Bolt

One of the most consistent four-year-olds this season, Tony Cruz’s import led for a significant part of the straight before being swamped to run third in the Classic Mile.

It was a run full of merit given he jumped from gate 13 and was bumped shortly after the start. A more favourable draw will be the key to his chances on Sunday.

4. Lucky Sam Gor

He might start the biggest price of Mark Newnham’s three runners in the race, but Lucky Sam Gor should not be underestimated.

The son of Press Statement has been in top form with four wins this term and was horribly unlucky last start when fourth to Stormy Grove. It will be no surprise to see him run a big race.

5. Infinite Resolve

Newnham’s talented galloper was the best of the beaten brigade in the Classic Mile, finishing strongly from just behind midfield to grab second.

That followed another second to Little Paradise and a breakthrough victory. The step up to 1,800m could test the son of Snitzel, but he warrants respect on his latest form.

6. Sagacious Life

“Terrible” was the only word Zac Purton used to describe the Brazilian import’s fourth in the Classic Mile.

While it was a solid enough performance, he fell short of lofty expectations after winning two of his first three local starts for Pierre Ng Pang-chi. The rise in distance could be the key as a Group One Derby Paulista (2,400m) victor pre-import.

7. Invincible Ibis

Sent off the $3.2 favourite after four consecutive wins, Newnham’s emerging talent was another who fell short of expectations when sixth in the Classic Mile.

Newnham believes he had a tough task running on from near last and out wide from gate 11. A bounce-back run on Sunday would not be a shock.

8. Patch Of Cosmo

One of the biggest hard-luck stories of the Classic Mile, Manfred Man Ka-leung’s five-time winner was last with nowhere to go and only got into the clear late to finish ninth.

He was coming off a winning return from a long absence after a tendon injury and the step up to 1,800m shouldn’t be a problem.

9. Stormy Grove

The Australian import made a late bid for the Classic Cup with an emphatic first local win over 1,600m on February 14, rocketing home from last to claim a Class Three restricted to four-year-olds.

Each of his five other runs for Lor had merit and his pedigree suggests the trip on Sunday will be ideal.

10. Dazzling Fit

David Eustace’s talented galloper kept on well on his first test at 1,800m for third, beaten only half a length, to the progressive Flow Water Flow last start. His habit of missing the start is proving costly, but he could figure on Sunday without surprising.