The Dhruv Futnani-trained Still I Rise was the only favourite to justify his top billing and rating,while the rest chose to take a beat seat, much to the disappointment of the followers of form at Guindy on Thursday. Competing in the G Kasturi Memorial Cup, Still I Rise, who had caught the eye while finishing an impressive third despite encountering rough passage in his last essay over an identical distance was fancied most and the Futnani ward confidently piloted by leading pro Umesh  produced an astounding gallop in the `run in' home to outclass his 10 rivals while romping home in emphatic fashion. The winner, who looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring is a goodtype of youngster and is set to provide an encore when saddled next. Dark Son who too had his share of followers finished a game second ahead of Berrettini, while Shez A Star completed the frame. 

A smart last start winner, Uncle Sam from trainer Dr.Anil Kumar's yard  recorded his second straight success, pegging back the belated effort of  the lesser fancied Sonic Dash in a pulsating finish in the lower division of the Minute To Win It Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs.  Ashhad Asbar astride the winner chose to take the Dr Anil Kumar ward .on a start to finish mission and that paid rich dividend taking into account that Uncle Sam enjoyed a vital two lengths advantage at the top of the straight which he maintained till Sonic Dash charged in to close the gap, a `neck separating the two at the wire. Raisina from Adhirajsingh Jodha's yard who was strongly fancied to come up trumps in the event  raced in patches and eventually finished in the ruck. Raisina,, it is clear is not at her best and it will do the punters a world of good if they ignore her until the Adhiraj ward displays some spark in her next effort or in the morning trials. 

The upper division of the event was claimed by the lesser fancied Succession from Deepesh Narredu's yard. Yash guiding the fortnes of the winner tracked the leader Hallucinate all through the seven furlongs trip before he reminded Succession of the task ahead 300 metres from home and the Deepesh ward readily produced a winning gallop to streak ahead and score in convincing style. Lakshanam piloted by apprentice jockey Alam finished on well to take the runner-up berth ahead of Soul Mate, while Hallucinate who ran out of gas in the final furlong hung on to complete the frame. Golden Strike was another from the stables of Adhirajsingh Jodha who was fancied strongly but failed to make an impression much to the chagrin of her supporters. 

Santa Clara in the next event brought cheer to the Adhiraj camp, winning the MSRM Meyyappan Chettiar Memorial Trophy in the hands of Chotu Singh Jodha. The winner who had chalked out a five length victory in her last effort over a sprint  produced another sizzling effort to record her second straight success and on the strength of this performance is certain to record a hat-trick of wins when saddled next. The on-money favourite Lady Mimi from Deepesh's yard in line for a hat-trick failed to display her true potential and surprisingly finished down the field. Karadeniz caught the eye while finishing second ahead of Off Shore Breeze and it will not be long before Karadeniz earns his cornbill. 

Angelino from Dhruv Futnani's yard was backed to the exclusion of his seven rivals in the Chief Justice Trophy run over a distance of nine furlongs but the public rage found Emelda and the runner-up Eagle Prince too hot to handle at end. The winner Emelda from B Suresh's yard powerfully piloted by Imran Khan gained the day by the shortest of margins from Eagle Prince who led all the way before losing out in the last stride. Angelino was seen finishing on fastest at end but ,mention must be made that Santosh Raj astride the favourite failed to judge the pace and this cost Angelino dear. 

After the disappointment on Angelino Dhruv Futnani proudly led in the eight-year-old mare Sifan who recorded a shock win in the concluding event, the Secret Talk Handicap. The winner piloted by five-kilo claimer Aman was seen gracing the wrong end of the field for most part of the journey before the old lady slowly, yet surely collared the front runners and clinched the issue, edging out the favourite Majestic Charmer at the shadow of the winning post. Full marks to apprentice Aman who in a never-say-die bid produced a heartwarming hands and heels effort to bring home the desired result.