Daniel Grant gained more affection of the racing masses by booting home two piping hot favorites Sea Sparrow and River Blitz to facile victories on Friday. Both the favorites were ridden with aplomb causing no anxiety whatsoever and the victories coming clean as a whistle. Sea Sparrow (Mr. Mellon – Strike It Right) from the Ruia Stud, proved too good. In a slow run race, Sea Sparrow preferred to settle behind Bemisaal and Torcello just ahead of Si Como No. In the straight, Bemisaal tried to run away and opened a 3-length lead but Sea Sparrow gathered momentum and sped ahead effortlessly drawing away from the rest to win the LD & Peggy Banatwalla Trophy convincingly. Si Como No could only hope for the runner’s up spot, which she claimed without fuss. River Blitz (Ikhtyar – Eubee) wasn’t as easy a ride as Sea Sparrow. Their Little Sister was running green and leading the pack. River Blitz found himself right behind the leader with Feona on the outside. In the straight, Their Little Sister shifted out slightly and Feona came alongside. Within split seconds, Grant seized the opening along the rails and poked through. After a brief tussle with Feona, River Blitz shot away in the final furlong to gallop home to post a comfortable victory. Grant did use the whalebone to good effect keeping River Blitz alert to the task until finished. Chios ( Storm Trooper – Zenana) stormed home in the final furlong to get past favorite Dancing Glory close home. Rococo surrendered after guiding the field homewards. Dancing Glory found himself stuck on the rails for much longer than he would have liked. Feet of Flames put in a good gallop but could not sustain the same all through. Chios meanwhile, made the right moves at the right time and by the time Dancing Glory sorted himself out to get a clear run, Chios was already there to make his final bid. The duo fought hard but in the dying moments of the race, Chios had that little bit extra to push for a deserved victory. Hymns To Freedom (Hymn – Princess Riyahi) produced a powerful gallop to prevail over a determined pack who chased him all the way up the straight. Pacemaker took over from paris Hilton nearing the bend and into the straight had worked up a fair lead with Paris Hilton, Cameo and Blazing Speed almost abreast and Hymns To Freedom keeping close vigil on the front runners. Past the 400 Hymns To Freedom made his presence felt and surged ahead readily and from there on left the others to wear him down. Cameo tried hard as did Blazing Speed and Paris Hilton, but Hymns To Freedom kicked on regardless to post a fairly comfortable victory. Paris Hilton did well to wrest back the third spot after falling back. Arabian Pride came in with a late bid to figure in the judges frame edging out Blazing Speed. The odds for the opening race of the day were lucrative or at least value for money despite a small line up of five runners. Doi Moi and Psychic Power cornered most of the betting while Western Challenge too had reasonable support. Western Challenge took charge early and led the field homewards. Psychic Power and Doi Moi followed close on the heels with Flo Nightingale and French Kiss. Western Challenge tried to work up a lead in the straight but was soon overpowered by Doi Moi. Psychic Power failed to quicken and helplessly watched even French Kiss pass him by. In the final furlong, Doi Moi (Royal Kingdom – Count The Stars) stretched away and Western Challenge followed the winner home without offering any worthwhile challenge. The Giant (Serious Spender – Cadenza) won the nine furlong race start to finish. Saddlers Rule had no say in the matter whatsoever and was never prominent. The Giant entered the straight with Desert Dynamite in chase. The Giant was striding well and kept going under the whip. In the final furlong The Giant was well clear and an impressive winner. Rattle (Hymn – Pyramid Power) sprung a surprise in the seventh race and stumped all her rivals with a terrific homestretch run. Sitting well off the pace, Rattle made her final move past the 400 taking on Forest Native and Es Sider who were disputing the lead by surprise. Once past the duo, Rattle bounded forward to post an easy win. Hi Dolly who attracted quite some money after her impressive last start victory, went out like a whimper and finished in the rut. Gatravat (Barood – From Heaven) produced a similar burst to clinch the last race pulling away. Stud Of Gold, Suraj and Gypsy Queen entered the straight together with Gatravat close behind. Gypsy Queen was the first to throw the towel, Stud of Gold and Suraj went on stride for stride. Approaching the distance post, Gatravat lit up and once into his final galloping strides, Gatravat romped home leaving the duo to contend the minor placing. Gatravat was fast and fierce in his final assault and won with a splendid turn of foot. Among the professionals, trainer Magan Singh Jodha and jockeys Daniel Grant and Neeeraj Rawal scored a double each.