It was an afternoon that saw punters getting the better of the satchel bearers for a change as fancied runners ruled the roost. Heading the list of favourites was the half-money public choice Adiella (Multidemensional-Psychic Flame/ Usha Stud) who was ridden to perfection by Christopher Alford in The Stoney Valley Cup. Speedy Law Supremo called the shots till the distance post where both Amorino and the favourite challenged him and eventually passed him. Alford forged a passage between the du to return a comfortable winner. However, a hypothetical question does arise. Why was the competent 4kg-allowance apprentice Hindu Singh replaced on Law Supremo? He rode a good race last time out over six furlongs and on such natural front-runners, the whip can actually prove to be a deterrent. But then I suppose, the trainer knows best.

The combination of trainer HS Bath and jockey Shezad Khan notched up a well-fancied double with Spyro and Analyst. The former by Glory of Dancer out of Catherine Linton (Kehelan Stud), a half-sister to middle distance runner Anarosa, was installed as the firm even money favourite in the opening event and was taken to the helm of affairs as the gates opened. Shezad reduced the pace to a crawl in the first 600 metres of the 1800 metres and then stepped it up a notch. However, he was on tight reins from the distance post as he was five lengths clear of Cool Conqueror who was heavily under the whip. This very nearly cost him the race as at the wire  a ‘neck’ verdict separated the duo. The winning jockey was severely warned by the stipes and reminded of the consequences should he lose a race in such ‘overconfident’ manner.

The duo completed their brace with second favourite Analyst (Sharp Attack-Sweet Pea Jamie/ Gee Stud) in The Alibi Cup. On this occasion, Analyst and Shezad were content to sit at the tail of front-running Annie Oakley till the distance post where they powered ahead to a comfortable victory. There was really none other in the fray worth mentioning.

Sparkishly continued to disappoint her many supporters. She doesn’t seem to be ideally suited to a six-furlong trip and inevitably shortens her strides in the final furlong. On this occasion, she found one better in Richard Alford-trained Colourful Dreams (Diffident – Act Smart/ Yeravada Stud) who was confidently piloted by apprentice Jorawar Singh to land the spoils.

Robert Gowli’s Kanya Kalyan (Mull Of Kintyre – Fatat Al Arab/ Sohna Stud ) was installed as the firm favourite in the six-furlong race for the Best Of The Blues Handicap. The filly won as she liked after collaring Sanjit. Stablemate Cool Hunter was not handled with the best of judgement and yet finished runner-up. Cacharel was declared a non-starter as the blindfolds were not removed in time.

The curtain came down with Arti Doctor-trained Primrose (Chevalier-So Shocking/ Ruia Stud) making every post of The Arcade Handicap a winning one. There was a lot of betting on Alondra but she was outpaced by the top-weight filly who has now reached the highest class. Jockey Nikhil did the needful.