3 minute read
Zarzyni is a confident pick to land a good prize in the shape of the Betway Handicap at Southwell.
The selection has only run on the all-weather twice and clearly acts on the Tapeta. First time out for David Barron after moving from Mick Halford's yard in Ireland he was a close third at Wolverhampton, before just missing out at Musselburgh.
There was a blip when fancied for a big handicap on Irish Derby weekend, but he put the record straight when bouncing back to win at Redcar.
He returned to the fray back in England in December, and although off for the previous 142 days everything pointed to a big run in a £16,000 handicap – which is how it turned out, apart from Lady Luck not playing her part for his backers.
Bumped at the start and finding himself at the rear as a result, he worked his way into it but it was game over when he suffered further interference just over a furlong out.
The winner Fernando Rah had flown by then, and while Zarzyni might not have beaten him even with a clear run, there is little doubt he would have been a lot closer than the three lengths he was beaten.
He remains on the same mark and this £30,000 pot would provide ample compensation for that last run.
Mr Sensible can land a course and distance repeat in the MansionBet Proud Partners Of The AWC Handicap.
The David Loughnane-trained four-year-old was without a win in seven starts before his success at the Nottinghamshire track in December, on what was his first run for 145 days and also first since being gelded.
Nicely away before adopting a stalking position, he moved well throughout and was always doing enough after hitting the front a furlong out.
The runner-up has advertised the form in going close himself since, and with the selection's confidence boosted by getting his head in front there might be a bit more to come now, even with a 3lb rise to contend with.
Symbol Of Light can take his record to three wins from four starts in the Play Coral Racing-Super-Series For Free Handicap.
Gelded before he ever set foot on a racecourse, Charlie Appleby's charge made a solid debut in a Newmarket maiden that has historically thrown up good winners and may well have done this year in the shape of Subastar.
There was nothing wrong with Symbol Of Light's effort in third, as he finished with promise – something confirmed by his two wins since.
He was last seen defying a penalty at Wolverhampton in November at odds of 1-6 and he should make up into a decent type this year, when he might even go further than the mile he is currently being campaigned over.
Mr Whipped can build on his encouraging return to action at Wetherby on Boxing Day when he goes back to the West Yorkshire track for the Follow @Racing TV On Twitter Handicap Chase.
The Brian Ellison-trained nine-year-old blew away the cobwebs after 260 days off when finishing a respectable third to Schiehallion Munro.
He jumped into the lead at the 10th fence, but the lack of a recent outing told and after being headed at the second last, he had to settle for minor honours.
Mr Whipped has had a history of problems as he had been on the sidelines for 736 days before his first run for Ellison at Aintree in April. On what was his final start for Nicky Henderson, he was fourth to Lostintranslation in the Grade One Mildmay Novices' Chase at Aintree two years earlier.
After showing he still retains some of his former ability, Mr Whipped can score for the first time since Haydock in December 2018, where he registered his sole success over fences to date.
Sholokjack can confirm the likeable impression he made when scoring on his debut under Rules by doubling up in the Try Racing TV For Free Now EBF "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle.
The six-year-old was bought for £75,000 in December to join Dan Skelton's stable just five days before his run at Leicester.
He had won his sole point-to-point at Mainstown in County Tipperary in December 2020 and justified favouritism at 11-10 despite showing his inexperience when making a couple of mistakes. Much more can be expected with that run under his belt.
SELECTIONS:
GOWRAN PARK: 1.00 Coole Arcade, 1.35 Sam's Choice, 2.05 Klassical Dream, 2.35 Rebel Early, 3.05 Braeside, 3.35 Couer Sublime, 4.07 Douglas Dc.
NEWCASTLE: 3.53 First Charge, 4.27 Khathak, 5.00 Dubai Lady, 5.30 Cianciana, 6.00 Tommy Taylor, 6.30 Beryl The Peril, 7.00 Blazing Hot.
SOUTHWELL: 12.50 Mr Sensible, 1.20 Symbol Of Light, 1.55 Tidewell, 2.25 ZARZYNI (NAP), 2.55 Inclement Weather, 3.25 Lethal Angel, 4.00 Percy Willis.
WETHERBY: 12.40 Real Armani, 1.10 Message Personnel, 1.45 The Jad Factor, 2.15 Mr Whipped, 2.45 Barnabas Collins, 3.15 Sholokjack, 3.45 Maid O'Malley, 4.17 Bird On The Wire.
DOUBLE: Zarzyni and Mr Sensible.
