Holding Court and Mystical will renew their battle after scorching the turf at Mahalaxmi last month. Ironically, these two Bangalore based horses never clashed on the local track because Mystical was a late starter during the Summer Season where as Holding Court had a head start having won the Gr 1 Kingfisher Bangalore Derby. It was Flashing Star who enjoyed the status of being the best among his contemporaries till he was displaced by Holding Court from that position. Later it was the turn of Mystical who basked in the all-India limelight before he lost rather tamely in the Gr 1 Indian Derby against the run of expectations to Velvet Rope and Holding Court. While Flashing Star has bounced back to contention with a decisive win in the Gr 1 Poonawalla Bangalore Derby and has his share of supporters, it is Holding Court who shapes as a formidable contestant in this race, having overcome the niggling problems that had a bearing on his preparation all through. After a hat-trick of wins during the Bangalore Summer Season, Mystical was considered as an extraordinary specimen, a freak and somebody who would sweep all before him. He lived up to that expectation somewhat by winning the Gr 1 Indian 2000 Guineas and the Gr 2 Ruia Cup though the margin of victory was diminishing his aura of invincibility. There are many who reckon that the horse was not in the pink of condition for the Indian Derby and there are many others who believe that jockey Prakash gave the horse too much to do forgetting that the horse which won the race came from way behind! Mystical did have some interference from Velvet Rope and this probably cost him some ground but looking at the race objectively, the son of Turtle Island, Velvet Rope was destined to win on that occasion. Holding Court was a gallant second ahead of Mystical. The son of Alnasr Alwasheek, Mystical will go into the race as a favourite despite the fact that his final gallop came as a dampener. However, Prakash has chosen to ride Mystical against expectations because the Ganapathy ward spurted well in his final workout. Quite often, jockeys end up choosing the wrong one as they base their selection when having to make a choice, on the basis of the final spurt for the race which is run over a trip of mile and half and not on the basis of gallop which is over an extended trip. Mystical has never been a good work horse but still his final gallop was below par. However, Mystical always defied expectations. There has always been speculation about his well being right from the day he won in a smashing manner in Summer. Mystical has the class and the temperament to overcome the adversities and he deserves healthy respect.The son of Royal Kingdom, Holding Court has been veritable goldmine and his sensational manner of victory in the Gr 1 Kingfisher Bangalore Derby put him into the elite league. However, he had one problem or the other right up to the Indian Derby, but he has admirably overcome all the problems and is in pink of condition to lift the coveted Indian Turf Invitation Cup. His workouts have been impressive and he has Irishman Nail McCullagh as his pilot. Holding Court is back to the track where he made his mark and though he won the Derby in soft underfoot conditions, he has proved to be equally adept in handling hard track conditions as evidenced by his run in the Indian Derby. Everything points to the success of this ward from the stables of trainer Padmanabhan. Flashing Star’s performance was not on expected lines when the going was rendered soft due to rain. The ridiculously easy manner in which he won the Poonawalla Derby has once again infused fresh hope in his abilities and considering the fact that the track at this part of the season suits him fine, he is the one many believe capable of an upset. It is quite possible he may end up having more supporters than Holding Court. Such has been public expectation on the ability on this son of Razeen. Psychic Strength who won the Mysore Derby at the expense of Flashing Star has dropped form considerably though his run in the Gr 1 Golconda Derby last month showed some promise. Democraticus would have been better off running in the Super Mile but his connections have ambitiously chosen to run him here and though he is not short on class, he may find the trip blunting his effectiveness. The only filly in the fray, Refreshing may find herself out of depth in this company though she deserves a pat for the decisive wins in two classics, meant for fillies, earlier in the season.