The big boy is back. And back with a bang. Ascoval who had failed to live upto the early promise after making a smashing debut suffering from blood vessel and stamina issues, made a stupendous comeback winning a sprint event in resplendent style. The highly rated colt  now under the care of Pradeep Annaiah pulled the plug and fused out his 11 rivals without raising a sweat in the Usha Stud Plate and the manner in which he detonated his rivals only suggests that the talented son of Excellent Art will test the best at this campus in the months ahead provided he has overcome the blood vessel issue and to get that sorted out and gain a clean chit he needs to test his abilities against quality opposition over extended trips. And that's one reason his progress this summer is certain to evoke interest. 

The fact that he was back after a five-month break after his dismal effort in the 2000 Guineas in winter and that he is a `bleeder' didn't stop the big bettors from punting big on the Pradeep Annaiah ward. They simply were impressed by his brilliant performances in the morning trials and Ascoval justified their confidence, donkey-licking his nearest rival, Lord Vader by a seven-length margin. The Inheritor finished third, `nosed' out by Lord Vader at the shadow of the winning post, while General Patton who failed to make the frame was never really in the hunt.

La Reina from the stables of Padmanabhan justified favouritism in the upper division of the Civil Service Trophy, the plum event run over 1100M. The winner looked a picture of fitness at the parade ring and taking into account that she had impressed most in her last effort in winter, finishing second behind Appsara, La Reina garnered maximum support in the betting ring despite money pouring in on the Aravind Ganapathy schooled Star Admiral. The Padmanabhan ward despite encountering a troubled passage easily snuffed out the challenge of Star Admiral and on the strength of this effort is likely to provide an encore over an extended trip. Forty Niner from Dominic's yard produced a satisfactory effort finishing a suggestive third after attempting to make every post a winning one in the hands of Rayan Ahmed and is one for the notebook. 

 The lower division of the plum event  was claimed by another well supported favourite Polished Girl who made a smart winning debut. On a day five firm favourites bolted in the six-event card to the delight of the followers of form, Polished Girl was fancied most on the strength of her consistently pleasing performances on the trial track and the goodtype of an youngster made a fine impression romping home in style. Queenstown finished second ahead of Roman Power, while Excellent Ray completed the frame. 

Back after a nine-month lay-off Forever Together made a heartwarming winning comeback winning the Raja Of Bobbili Memorial Trophy in emphatic fashion. The favourite in his effort to make every post a winning one in the seven furlongs journey came under pressure from the topweighted Caracas at the top of the straight ,but he had enough in the tank to gallop home a convincing winner. Now that Forever Together had resumed his winning ways, he will make his presence felt this season. Capable caught the eye while finishing third ahead of the Irfan Ghatala schooled Garamond, who was backed down in the betting ring but eventually failed to save even money in place.

The five to one shot Lady Supremos proved too good in the opening event, the lower division of the Udhagamandalam Plate run over 1100M dash. The winner confidently piloted by Yash Narredu hit the front soon after the eight contestants contestants including Perfect Halo, who was backed to the exclusion of his seven rivals came under the starter's flag and never let the initiative slip powering home at end to score in splendid style. The strongly supported favourite who was touted  a `moral certainty' only finished a tame third behind Jai Vikram.

The connections of Perfect Halo who lost out big in the opening event recouped their losses in the concluding event, the Narayan Gowda schooled Baroness coming up trumps despite failing to gain a favourable p[osition early on in the race. All credit to jockey Rajesh Kumar, who didn't panic and slowly yet surely kept nursing his mount before he drove the Gowda ward in determined fashion to snuff out the challenge of Stunning Beauty, who looked set to score before Baroness powered home on the rails to seal the deal.