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2022 Epsom Handicap

All the talk surrounding Saturday's Epsom handicap will be Sydney's weather with as much as 60mm predicted by the weekend.

For some (Fangirl) it is a big hindrance, however for others (Icebath) it is music to their ears.

Despite only winning once, she has placed in seven of nine attempts on the heavy, two of which came in Group 1 company and also included the 2020 Golden Eagle.

Close to half of her career prizemoney has been earned on heavy tracks and she's never been beaten further than three lengths at the Randwick mile (six starts).

She hits the Epsom off an equal peak performance and leading rider James McDonald legs aboard.

Only boasts the sole win at the Randwick mile but her Timeform ratings of 104,113,106,115,108 and 115 leave have her as one of the hardest to beat on Saturday.

Icebath is sure to have her supporters however it's hard to ignore the chances of Hinged if you are in Icebath's corner.

Hinged beat home Icebath first up in the Winx Stakes before only finishing half a length behind Icebath in the George Main Stakes last start.

She now meets Icebath 7lbs better off and two of her six career wins have come on heavy tracks.

Rated 114 by Timeform there is very little between the pair and she has never missed the money third up.

This has always been her first major target of the Spring and with her pull in the weights she has to be considered a big chance.

The last time (2017) we saw an Epsom field this size, Happy Clapper took out the feature with topweight, a feat Top Ranked is trying to emulate on Saturday.

Only seen three times in Australia, Top Ranked has improved with every start and was most impressive taking out the Bill Ritchie Handicap first up.

Returning a new career peak he's now rated 122 by Timeform, a rating which has him right in the finish despite giving weight away to all of his rivals.

Under the handicap conditions, he is essentially racing Icebath at set-weights, conceding just 4lbs to the mare.

Top Ranked should get every chance from the inside draw and with Bowman chasing his third success in the feature it's easy to mark him favourite.

2022 Metropolitan Handicap

Only one horse since the turn of the century has completed the Newcastle Cup – Metropolitan double, a feat Durston is trying to achieve on Saturday.

During that period 68 runners (13 winners) have come through the Newcastle Cup with Glencadam Gold the only one able to achieve the feat in 2012.

Both Mugatoo and Bianca were able to finish second but remain the only winners of the Newcastle Cup to place in the Metropolitan at their next start.

Durston certainly rates well when assessing Timeform weight adjusted ratings, however that doesn't fill you with a lot of confidence.

There is little between a large contingent and there is certainly no stand-out.

Who best likely handles the ground will go a long way to winning the event on Saturday.