slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and led briefly over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
held up towards rear on outer, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 4f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on
FORTE DEI MARMI is selected to win the 2010 renewal of the Zetland Gold Cup, with Cairnsmore, Sweet Lightning, Oneofapear and Rosbay among the dangers. The latter pair have collateral form, with Alan Swinbank's Oneofapear having given 5lbs and a three-quater-length beating to Rosbay at Ripon over this trip last time. Both are capable of improvement and act on the ground, so a win for either would be no shock with the latter having an extra 1lb pull. Sweet Lightning is 3lbs higher than when winning over this trip at Chepstow earlier in the month, but has never yet won on fast ground and is taken on, while Cairnsmore saw off useful yardstick Mabuya at Chepstow just 10 days ago and is now 4lbs higher for that success. He has already been beaten by Sweet Lightning this season and is now 1lb worse off than he was that day, but with the Mark Johnston runners now in better form he may be able to bridge that gap. Fujin Dancer and Follow The Flag both have claims if able to produce their best, but preference is for Forte Dei Marmi. Luca Cumani's string are in cracking form and this Selkirk gelding impressed when winning a 10f Newbury handicap easily last month. Raised 12lbs by the handicapper for that win, he was comfortably accounted at York last time when held up. His Newbury success suggests that he has what it takes to win this, and with more positive tactics this time we think he can do so.
Albaqaa 11-1 (9-5) Dwelt, towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and tracked leaders when stumbled over 1f, switched right and no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 6l behind Tartan Gigha (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf.
Cairnsmore 2-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, always holding on, won at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf beating Mabuya (8-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Sweet Lightning 13-2 (8-8) Held up in touch on inside, switched left and headway to challenge over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd beating Last Three Minutes (8-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Forte Dei Marmi 9-4fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway 3f out, chased leader 2f out until ridden and one pace entering final furlong, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 11, 7l behind Imposing (8-12) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Reve De Nuit (USA) 12-1 (8-11) Behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 9, 3l behind Veloso (8-1) at Southwell 1m 4f 4yo hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Oneofapear (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Held up in mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, progress over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon challenged, just held on, won at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Rosbay (8-5) by shd, 8 ran.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 12-1 (7-13) Tracked leading pair, headway to 2nd 1f out, upsides and every chance when hung left inside final furlong, not pace of winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Sandor (8-8) at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Changing The Guard 85-40fav (9-4) Led early, tracked winner and keen, ridden over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Submariner (9-1) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Rosbay (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, pushed along raced keenly and soon tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, soon every chance until no extra and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, nk behind Magic Echo (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Fujin Dancer (FR) 9-2 (8-8) Held up towards rear, kept on final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Celtic Change (8-12) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Daaweitza 3-1 (8-7) Pulled hard, led over 8f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final, kept on, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Destinys Dream (8-7) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
General Eliott (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Tracked leading trio, edged right and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Mabait (8-12) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
