Zarwaan ticks enough boxes for a sporting nap selection in the �102,000 Victoria Cup Handicap over seven furlongs of 'good' Ascot ground today, it's six weeks since this Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned Dutch Art gelding finished a creditable sixth (of 22!) in the 'Lincoln' and that form bears close inspection.
A major factor is the form of Ed Dunlop's yard. 'Big Ed' hit the winners' enclosure on Wednesday with Chester Cup hero, Trip To Paris, which continued a lucrative spell, and Zarwaan will undoubtedly be rarin' to go over a distance that should be ideal. No complaints either with his draw, smack in the middle (14) of 29 runners.
Of course this-type race is reckoned a 'lottery' but our time-handicap has enjoyed tremendous successes down the years with strongly-run sprints, especially on straight, galloping, grade one tracks.
Pointless trolling through others, Zarwaan has an excellent chance and with Paul Hanagan at the top of his game is worth backing, and following.
Forgotten Hero is ready to win and though selecting 'decs' from a trainer on the dreaded 'cold list' seldom pays off Charles Hills will soon be back on track, of that I'm certain.
One of six other meetings on yet another overwhelming 'super-Saturday' is 'good to soft' Thirsk where Richard Fahey-trained should win the Maiden Stakes over a mile, by default!
Purchased out of John Gosden's yard this four-year-old Street Cry colt was well beaten a fortnight back in a similar race at Leicester but shaped well and it's interesting to note Obsidian is dropped back in trip!