A combination of sheer grit, determination and a strong will to win on the part of David Allan enabled Padmanabhan-trained Noble Prince to get up on the last stride and score a sensational victory in The Chief Minister's Trophy at the Bangalore races on Saturday. What seemed like an impossible task at the top of the bend, unfurled itself into a fairytale story for this six year-old son of Placerville. The day's feature to be run over a mile and a quarter had attracted some top-class runners.

Classic hopefuls Fleet Indian, Classerville and Corbett were set to test their skills against proven performers Noble Prince, Spark Of Gold and Conceptual. The ratings of the two groups did not match because the younger brigade was still growing in stature. The terms of the race brought them alongside each other and their present fitness, form and most importantly their ability to stay was expected to play a key role in deciding the final outcome of this race.

Fleet Indian had won the Mysore Derby before going on to lift the 2000 Guineas at Hyderabad. The nice-looking bay had been sharpened in a mock race and was accordingly installed as a favourite ahead of Classerville and Corbett. The odds board clearly indicated the supremacy of the younger brigade, but what ultimately transpired on the track was totally opposite to what was reflected in the betting rings. At the end of the day, it was the older group which justified its ratings and overwhelmed their younger counterparts.

Bottom-weighted Corbett set a steady pace and led Fleet Indian, Classerville, Conceptual and Spark Of Gold, while Noble Prince and Arabian Knight were content to grace the wrong end of the field. They travelled in single file for most of the way prior to taking the rising ground near the three-furlong marker. While Corbett and Fleet Indian were travelling comfortably, the others were put under tremendous pressure by their respective jockeys. The runners were spread right across the track as they straightened for home. A couple of things became apparent at this stage.

The most obvious amongst them was the shortening strides of Fleet Indian and Classerville. The two of them began to roll sideways under pressure and disappeared from the scene. Spark Of Gold and Conceptual made their moves at the same juncture and joined Corbett in front. In the meanwhile, David Allan and Noble Prince began their charge from the rear. They appeared on the wide outside and gained ground with each stride.

The big strides of Noble Prince had to be seen to be believed. He made up the leeway in no time and got up on the last two strides to nail Spark Of Gold on the post. Conceptual took the third place ahead of a tired Corbett. The winner confirmed his status as the top stayer at this centre. In spite of being slightly underdone, he put up a lionhearted performance. The biggest factor in his favour today was the nature of the track. The dickey-legged horse loves firm ground and that is what he got today. On the other hand, the four year-olds performed below expectations.

The Derby picture has got a bit hazy after today's result. Not much can be expected to change in a fortnight. Another outstanding performance of the day came from Attaolahi's Cielo Rey. He was given a solid penalty by the handicapper after his strong gallop a couple of weeks ago. Cielo Rey was conceding weight to his rivals in Class II, and with regular partner Chris Hayes having gone home for a while, was entrusted to Ryan Marshall. The mile trip was well within his capabilities.

His followers were quick to encash upon the bookmaker's generosity by backing him enthusiastically at 2/1. Cielo Rey led from the start and was able to hold Star Assembly, Frozen Fire and Spark Of Reverence in a close finish. Imran Chisty was the most popular figure at the race course this afternoon. He was declared to ride three horses today. While Sunspirit and Shotgunn were strong favourites, Mega Joy was a second choice being Peacemaker. Imran was able to steer all three of them to comfortable victories. His job astride the first two was fairly easy, but he had to use all his skills while guiding Mega Joy to her maiden success.

Irfan Ghatala's Sunspirit is a fashionably bred colt. He looked well relaxed in the paddock. His shining coat and muscled structure enthused punters to go nap on him. In contrast, second favourite Bala's Glory looked extremely ordinary. They performed on expected lines as Sunspirit pulverised the opposition and ran away from Sweet Caroline. Bala's Glory floundered under pressure and surrendered his third place to a late finishing Valahak. The winner is a good type and much more shall be heard about him later in the season. Imran Chisty's other two winners came from the yard of Arjun Mangalorkar. Shotgunn was always rated highly by his master. The good looking colt had disappointed repeatedly and the trainer decided to geld him in early October.

The results were there for all to see. Shotgunn reproduced his excellent trackwork on the race grass. He was held on a tight leash before being produced on the wide outside. He skirted the entire field and began his assault. He went clear thereafter and was eased up much before sailing past the winning post. Kripa and Kingdomofdreams were able to save place money for their connections. Mega Joy's task looked to be more difficult. She was attempting to lower the colours of hot favourite Peacemaker.

Padmanabhan had given enough work to the favourite and she was an even-money chance to win this race. However, Peacemaker performed below expectations and took a lot of money down the drain. She had all the chances in the straight but refused to quicken in the last furlong. Mega Joy overtook Amber Star in the final furlong and went clear of Stormy Affair and Peacemaker. The winner completed a "perfect" day for Imran Chisty.

Sylvester De Souza was the other professional who distinguished himself by riding a pair of winners. He had been beaten close home on Rumour Proof exactly two weeks ago. He had tried to dictate pace on that day. He tried a different strategy in today's race. She was held on a tight leash as Sweet Timer did the front-running and brought them into view. The favourite True Impression was always travelling comfortably in third position. Rumour Proof wasn't unduly extended to take the lead in the straight and was ridden hands and heels thereafter.

Srinath tried all his tactics astride True Impression but found nothing in the tank. In fact, Leopoldo raised a late gallop to go past the tired favourite in the final furlong. De Souza had won the earlier race with a pillar to post effort astride Darius Byramji's Raptor Force. This runner had got beaten in his last two efforts while trying to rally from the rear. He was taken to the front today and was able to stay there till reaching the wire. Favourite Enduring Star was found wanting close home. Suraj brought him with a steady gallop in the final furlong, but that just wasn't enough. In my opinion, Enduring Star will be too good to miss over seven furlongs, in an age group race in the higher class. The horse is likely to relish a lighter load on his back.

Jockey Srinath had an armchair ride to victory in the day's opener. Warren Singh's Sunny Connexion was an outstanding runner in the day's card. This had more to do with the poor quality of his opponents rather than his own capabilities. Sunny Connexion was ridden in copybook fashion and scored with ease. Early leader Diamond Shower caved in tamely near the distance post and settled for the second spot. Srinath won the last race of the day, but lost it subsequently in the Stewards room. He was able to steer Puttanna's Man United to a close win ahead of Gampu and Powerfuldreams. Gampu had led from the start and was challenged in the final furlong by Man United. Samuel Fargeat and Powerfuldreams were always travelling on the inner rails in third spot. The three runners began to close up in the last 50 metres.

Gampu began to slow down under pressure; Powerfuldreams had little room to gallop while Man United travelled the best of the lot. There was a brief skirmish at that stage, in which Powerfuldreams had got affected. Even though he had finished third astride Powerfuldreams, Samuel Fargeat raised a successful objection against the winner, thereby presenting the race to a well beaten Gampu on a platter.