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Zetland Gold Cup day and while I think Arlequin has a great chance to follow up his York 3rd, its the two 1m6f 46-65 handicaps that interest me. Both are confident selections, though the odds reflect their chances and therefore stakes are kept moderate.

In the 3.00 for 3 year olds, the master of exploting the current handicap system Sir Mark Prescott has all the makings of a week long plot in mind for Pizzetti 2 points win @ 9/4 (general).

Well and stoutly bred to appreciate fast ground and distances of 12 furlongs or more (by Singspiel, out of a 107 rated, Group 3 winning dam over that trip), this gelding has had the typical 3 races on the all weather in maidens followed by a 3rd place in a low level handicap at Southwell, over distances between 7 and 11 furlongs.

A handicap mark of 59 and entries for Wednesday and Friday suggest the trainer thinks he will supplement his current 7-day 50% strike rate with his only runner of the day.


The 5.20 appears at the mercy of Simple Jim 2 points win @ 7/4 (Bfred), who can take advantage of very lenient handicapping.

His course form reads 1-1(corresponding race last season off a 2lb higher mark)-1-3-3-9. That last disappointing run last October off a mark of 61 was at the end of a busy 12 months for the gelding, which had included a full chasing & hurdling campaign before the flat season.

After a break he has reappeared twice last month over shorter distances and last time at Newcastle gave every signal under today's talented jockey that a return to best form was approaching. In fact, having won off 62 last July and given the opposition here, something short of that off 53 is still likely to be enough for a repeat performance.