Form horses ran true to expectations at Hyderabad with four strongly supported favourites obliging in the compact six-race card. The feature race however was an exception as lesser fancied Chuckit (GreenCoast – Exclusive Wiley) returning triumphant, beating on-money favourite House of Diamonds with surprising ease.

Chuckit was never too prominent in the first half of the race as he was a tad tardy off the blocks.  Jockey Aneel gradually improved positions to be in the mid-bunch and not too far from the leaders at the turn.

Blissful had a handy lead coming into the straight and with Amyra, N R I Magic and Different not looking a threat she seemed well on course at that moment. Chuckit began to accelerate early and soon started to bridge the gap and getting closer to Blissful. Favourite House of Diamonds made his move from the wide outside as did Tomorrows Dreams but neither could match up with the brilliance that Chuckit displayed.

The Sreekant trainee kept the momentum going and drew away from the pack to post a facile victory by a margin of over three lengths. House of Diamonds saved some blushes by beating the rest and taking the runner-up slot, just about beating Blissful and Tomorrows Dreams.

Bandit King (Chinese Whispers – Lady Marmelade) followed up his last start victory with another commendable performance. It didn’t look too easy for Bandit Queen as he was put under constant pressure all the way in the homestretch. Jockey Mukesh Kumar made a quick forward surge to get past early leaders Horse O’ War and Nolan soon on straightening up. Nolan put up a stiff fight and stuck by Bandit Queen well into the final furlong. Southern Act produced a spirited challenge and was drawing closer to bandit Queen midway down the straight. Bandit Queen had to be ridden all out and Mukesh did a good job of keeping the Laxman Singh ward going to eventually stretch away and win by two lengths. Cheltenham was the pick of the beaten lot as he covered ground briskly to take the second place from Southern Act. Wandering Warrior, for a first time runner, did well to finish close alongside Cheltenham and Southern Act and should look positively for an early success.

Mukesh Kumar had in the earlier race guided another raging fancy in City of Blessing (Excellent Art – Accessorize) to a fluent victory. City of Blessing was right behind early leaders Flying Rudolf and Executive Decision and soon charged ahead early in the straight. Mukesh rode hard and with a couple of cracks had the Sreekant ward gallop further ahead and then dominate in the last 100 meters to stretch the margin to three lengths at the winning post. Hot Seat tried hard and was rewarded with the runner-up sash pegging back Executive Decision by half a length.

Trainer Shahsikant’s NRI Infinity (Western Aristocrat – Kilkenny) took just one race to gear up for the season. After her loosening up over a scurry a fortnight back, NRI Infinity was back in business over the mile race, which is her preferred distance. She was off the gates quick and led all the way home without encountering any challenge. Kimberly followed the winner right from the start and ended doing so. N R I Infinity looked the winner pretty early and stayed well ahead of Kimberly to notch up her second victory and this was her eighth start. Silver Bells improved positions to finish in the money.

N R I Touch (Air Support – Silken Touch), from Sequeira’s stables, came from a long way back in the straight to finish with a flourish and score a dramatic win. Indian Glory had shaped well in the straight when he took over from Secret Circle soon on entering the straight. With Art In Motion not matching up and the two fancied runners N R I Touch and Thunder road not in the vicinity, Indian Glory looked on course for most part of the homestretch.

N R I Touch started to make a dash for it approaching the final furlong mark and jockey Akshay Kumar got the best out of his charge to come tearing down in the final fifty meters to score by a length. Indian Glory was overwhelmed in the last couple of strides and even seemed to have brushed the inner rails going by the slight wobble in his stride. But that made no difference as NRI Touch had sealed the race by then. Indian Glory was floored by the late dazzle, but ended a good second. Art In Motion saved the place money, while Thunder Road never really recovered from the rear position he found himself in from the start.

Dream Jewel (Sedgefield – Night Dancer) was the rank outsider paying out a hefty dividend, perhaps the highest for the season fetching over Rs 500/- on the tote. Dream Jewel got a lovely opening as Theo's Choice drifted out in the last 400 meters. Once in the lead, Dream Jewel, with Rupal Singh astride, worked hard to maintain the slender lead with threats looming from all quarters. Theo’s Choice failed to keep a straight course thereby squandering a good opportunity after being prominent.  The others could not muster well enough and Dream Jewel finally tasted his first success on his 14th start. Theo' s Choice finished second and Sye Ra third.

For the professionals, trainer Sreekant and jockey Mukesh Kumar scored a double each.