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ANIL KUMAR, CHOTU SINGH JODHA RECORD DOUBLE

By Ikram Khan | 03 Feb 2022 | CHENNAI


Followers of form lost out big, not a single favourite justifying the top billing in the eight-event card and as a result most punters returned home with a big hole in the pocket. The plum event, the Original Vel Racing.Com Cup run over a sprint saw the 20 to one shot Fine Future from trainer B Suresh's yard  in the hands of Shahar Babu produce a sparkling gallop at the all-important end to edge out the favourite Romualdo a `neck' separating the two at the wire. Stablemate Windsor Walk was fancied by the stable connections but, all he could do was finish a poor fifth, while his unfancied stablemate Fine Future dropped a bombshell, returning a rich dividend of Rs 218 on a tenner at the tote window. Little Wonder from Dhruv Futnani's yard too surprised most finishing third ahead of the second in demand at the betting ring Laudree. 

Fancied quietly and sweetly by the right connections, Ayur Shakti from Dr.Anil Kumar's yard powerfully piloted by Ashhad Asbar produced a winning gallop at the distance post to assume command and then gallantly pegged back the belated effort of Priceless Ruler to come up trumps in the Free Speech handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner  looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring and many old hats in the game chose to oppose the favourite Thunderclap from Adhirajsingh Jodha's yard with the second in demand at the betting ring Ayur Shakthi and it proved to be a good decision taking into account that the more fitter Ayur Shakti won, while Thunderclap failed to save even money in place. Priceless Ruler appears to have regained form and fitness and it will not be long before this Robert Foley ward  earns his cornbill.

Earlier Anil Kumar led in the ten to one shot Uncle Sam, who made every post a winning one in the lower division of the Sea Queen Handicap  run over a distance of seven furlongs. Apprentice Dharshan Antony pushed Uncle Sam to the front the moment the nine runners came under the starter's flag and never let the initiative slip comfortably snuffing out the late challenge of Star Glitter. The favourite Nagada raced in patches and eventually finished in the ruck. Both Uncle Sam and Ayur Shakti are owned by Cheriyan Abraham who led in Due Diligence on Derby Day. 

On a day form played traunt, Sunday Warrior from Fahad Khan's yard despite failing to break level from the gates produced an astounding gallop in the final furlong to edge out  Conscious Keeper close home. in the Deal maker Handicap run over a sprint. The runner-up in his attempt to make every post a winning one looked set to accomplish his mission before the ten to one shot Sunday Warrior piloted by Ramandeep Bal spoilt his party close home. The favourite Priceless Treasure finished third ahead of Pink Pearl, who made the frame without unduly extending herself. 

The combination of Ramandeep Bal and Fahad Khan looked good to strike again in the third event, the upper division of  the Sea Queen Handicap, but Choir who stormed ahead to seize the initiative from the leader Beauty Of The Turf failed to quicken at the all-important end and this allowed Beauty Of The Turf to claw back and score to the delight of her lady trainer Rupa. The public choice Dominant from Ajith Kumar's yard piloted by Ashhad Asbar was never in the hunt and so too the other fancied contestant Chaitanya who finished last. 

Leading jockey Chotu Singh Jodha who recorded a good double, first struck through Euphoric who made every post a winning one in the Festive Light Handicap run over a mile. The lesser fancied winner from Adhirajsingh Jodha's yard hit the front and dictated the pace before outwitting his 11 rivals in the "run in "home. The winner appears in good nick and is set to provide an encore. Django who had beaten Euphoric in the last start finished second ahead of the favourite Aretha from James McKeown's yard . Jodha was at his best on Esteva in the concluding event, packing punch on the lesser fancied contestant from trainer Jagadeeshan's yard to romp home a convincing winner .The favourite lLady Royal ike all the other seven favourites chose to take a back seat, while the other `Lady' in the race, Lady Solitaire in her start to finish attempt found Esteva too hot to handle at end. 
 
Race For The Stars reigned supreme in the upper division of the Sea Shower handicap edging out Fun Storm. The winner piloted by Nakhat Singh looked keen to make his presence felt all through the 1000 metres dash and the moment Nakhat provided the Robert Foley ward, the go-ahead, Race For The Stars shot through to seal the issue in decisive fashion.