Form in racing is supposed to be a guide, but at times it behaves more like a badly folded map. The Nizam`s Gold Cup at Malakpet on Monday was another reminder that the form book can occasionally lead punters everywhere except the right destination.

Prasanna Kumar-trained Prokofiev, who had finished more than 16 lengths behind when Mayne Magic and Alfonsine fought for minor honours in Zuccaro`s mind-boggling victory, turned the tables spectacularly to win the Gr.3 2000 metres Nizam`s Gold Cup, a terms race for four-year-olds and over.

Mayne Magic was strongly backed ahead of Alfonsine, who had beaten him rather convincingly at Bangalore. Prokofiev and Vyasa were hardly considered serious candidates for the spoils. Yet, when the dust settled, the two horses available at generous odds were the ones fighting for victory. Red Bishop finished third ahead of Alfonsine, while Mayne Magic, despite attracting substantial betting support, was never in the hunt.

Explaining such dramatic swings in form is becoming one of racing`s more entertaining puzzles. Consistency, once considered a virtue in a racehorse, increasingly seems to have taken an extended holiday.

Kishan Thomas-trained Mayne Magic, with Ascot-returned Suraj Narredu in the saddle, attracted the bulk of the betting, while Alfonsine was surprisingly available at long odds. Prokofiev and Vyasa barely got a mention in the pre-race calculations. Red Bishop had a few supporters.

Get Lucky set the pace, followed by Prokofiev and Non Pareil, while Alfonsine, Red Bishop and Mayne Magic raced in close attendance. Vyasa was some way back.

Turning for home, Get Lucky began to weaken and jockey Anthony Raj sent Prokofiev to the front. Mayne Magic made a noticeable move around the final bend, but the favourite was the first to wave the white flag. When Suraj asked him for an extra effort, there was precious little response.

Prokofiev, meanwhile, kept galloping resolutely. Alfonsine launched his challenge but simply could not find the necessary extra gear. The leader looked to have the race safely in his pocket when Vyasa suddenly appeared from somewhere near the postcode of the backmarkers and produced a strong late challenge.

Prokofiev held on to win, with Red Bishop running on strongly to edge out Alfonsine for third. Non Pareil stayed on to finish fifth.

The winning time of 2 minutes 03.4 seconds was an excellent one for the Malakpet monsoon track and added some substance to a victory that, judging by the betting, had not exactly been pencilled in by the majority.

Ashoka Shows His Class

Donald Netto-trained Ashoka has been an outstanding performer throughout his career, although physical niggles have repeatedly interrupted his progress. Carrying the top weight of 62kg, the classy performer was heavily backed to win the 1400 metres Royal Windsor Plate, a terms race for four-year-olds and over.

Lux Aeterna was the other horse to attract significant support.

Lux Aeterna raced prominently with the field, but approaching the final furlong, Ashoka began to assert his class. He swept past long-time leader and stablemate Espionage and quickly put daylight between himself and the opposition.

Black Onyx produced a powerful run from the rear, but Ashoka had already established enough of a cushion to keep the late challenger at bay and score comfortably. Lux Aeterna held off Brilliant Lad and Uchchaihsravas for third.

Favourites Discover That Nothing Comes Free

There were several short-priced winners on the card, but the favourites certainly did not receive any complimentary passage. Some were made to work overtime, while others failed altogether.

Emerald Touch, expected to bounce back in the 1200 metres B Marideshwara Rao Memorial Trophy (Div. I), was one such favourite who had to earn every rupee of his supporters` confidence.

Neeraj Rawal had to drive the favourite out fully before Emerald Touch could overhaul front-running Foxy Girl. Even then, there was no time for a victory lap. Anant Vatsalya-trained Warwick came charging from a long way back and missed the winner`s berth by the narrowest of margins.

The lower division produced an outright favourite casualty. Fortis failed to live up to expectations after being sent out at short odds. Gloria, who had chased Dubai Touch into the straight, suddenly found another gear and stormed clear in the final 300 metres, leaving Fortis stranded.

The favourite did make some late progress, but by then Gloria was enjoying life at the front and had little reason to look over her shoulder.

Ojas Maximus Makes It Look Easy

Sreekant-trained Ojas Maximus proved a cut above his rivals in the 1100 metres Himayat Sagar Trophy (Div. I), a race for horses rated 20 to 45.

Jockey Vikrant allowed Ojas Maximus to take command from the start and the favourite treated the opposition with considerable disrespect, cruising to an easy victory by more than five lengths.

Linda held off Bold Beauty to finish second.

The lower division also went the way of the favourite, though it required a little more drama. Robin Reddy Kondakalla-trained Flying Fury produced a late burst to collar front-running Ek and record a comfortable victory. Her Ladyship finished third.

Love In Paris Gets Her Timing Right

Satheesh-trained Love In Paris attracted solid support close to race time and duly obliged at the expense of strongly backed favourite Queen Eternal.

Queen Eternal had led from the start and appeared to have matters under control, but when Love In Paris came charging, the favourite simply could not produce that final burst needed to repel the challenge. Classy Touch finished third.

Rani Ruckus Adds Another Twist

Lesser-fancied Rani Ruckus, from Robin Reddy`s stable, provided another surprise in the 1400 metres Brown Jack Plate for horses in the bottom class.

Rani Ruckus came with a rattling run and, once she hit the front, won going away. By the time she arrived on the scene, favourite Aos Si and Hoping High were busy sorting out the minor spoils between themselves.

Hoping High managed to finish ahead of the favourite for second, while Rani Ruckus made sure the form book had yet another page to tear up before bedtime.