Narendra Lagad groomed colt Coeur De Lion, whose last two victories came over a mile, easily pocketed the Serjeant At Arms Trophy on Friday evening. The colt seems to have struck a good rapport with apprentice Mustakim Alam and he recorded his third win in his hands over a mile trip. Coeur De Lion (Roderic O'Connor - Sweeping Star) went surging into the lead as usual and showed a clean pair of heels to his eight rivals. Chopin and Dexa could only chase the winner till the distance post before fading out. Last-outing winner Rambler rallied from the tail end in the home stretch but the winner proved too good for him. Raffaello ran thereabouts to finish third ahead of Grand Accord.

Mustakim has justified the faith imposed in his riding by Lagad thus far and displayed his grit atop the aged gelding Majestic Warrior (Leitir Mor - One Magic Moment), who seems to be at the peak of his form. Mustakim held his nerves and drove Majestic Warrior resolutely to ward off both Dragoness and Lord Vader in a tantalising three-way finish. Dragoness yet again had to cover ground from behind and she appeared to have hit the wire ahead of her rivals. The camera however found Majestic Warrior's nose ahead of the unfortunate Dragoness and a neck further away was Lord Vader. Lit ended fourth. Rodrigo ran below par and finished off the board
 
Lagad had one of the best days of his professional career as he saddled a treble during the evening race programme. His first winner had come through Golden Neil (Excellent Art - Mauna Kea), who grabbed the lead shortly after the gates opened and led a procession to win untroubled over the mile trip. PS Chouhan astride the favourite Dragonlord went all out in his bid to catch Golden Neil but in vain and had to settle for the runner up berth. Lord Fenecia and Charlie followed the winner home.

Sandesh, who also steered three winners, gave a heart-warming ride to S Waheed's ward Dalasan. The six-year-old gelding almost planted in the gates but thankfully jumped out though quite late. Sandesh drove him out from the word go and got Dalasan to join the pack as the field was turning for home. He then manoeuvred his way through a wall of horses ahead and wore down the tiring Intense Belief, whose start to finish attempt came to a nought in the last furlong. Dalasan (Sedgefield - Sarvagnya) held on from the fast finishing longshot Mariella who travelled widest of all. Intense Belief saved place money as seven horses behind led by Esfir finished close to each other.

Divine Thoughts from Altaf Hussain's yard was the third victor assisted by Sandesh. The filly by Roderic O'Connor out of Thoughts Of You hugged the inner rails when hitting the front and had Hilma Klint and Inishmore shadowing her. On entering the straight Divine Thoughts stretched out well to ward off the threat posed by both Inishmore and Hilma Klint and obliged her supporters who had backed her to the exclusion of her rivals. Hilma Klint, Inishmore and Ocean Of God completed the judge's frame.

Karthik Ganapathy nurtured Regal Command graduated from the maiden ranks at the age of six with an upset win over the derby trip. Pesi Shroff schooled Wordsmith led the six-horse field on sufferance and set a crawling pace which suited the friendless Regal Command (Saamidd - Reina de Mexico) the most in the Aldeburgh Trophy. Regal Command, who was racing in the rear just ahead of Chamonix, was shown daylight by Bhawani Singh when the field straightened for home. The gelding uncoiled a brilliant run to put the front runners behind and soon overwhelmed Wordsmith opposite the stands. Chamonix was set alight a trifle late by Kirtish Bhagat as the mare failed to measure the winner. Wordsmith battled hard but could only finish a close fourth behind Alpha Gene.

Hunting Goddess, who was making her appearance after almost a year, treated her rivals with disdain to provide Shroff and Chouhan their solitary success of the day. Chouhan allowed Mojo to bring the field into the view for the last time and then put Hunting Goddess (Territories - Regency) in top gear. The bay mare zipped ahead to cruise home and had something in reserve when passing the post. Mojo settled for the second spot while Champagne Smile ended third ahead of Sky Commander, who caught the eye when finishing fourth.

Three-year old Waikiki (Leitir Mor - Mauna Kea) ran true to the promise shown on her debut and shed her maiden status with a solid performance in the Karl Umrigar Trophy. Racing close on the heels of Smiles Of Fortune, Nikhil Parmar-partnered Waikiki fought a pitched battle with Smiles Of Fortune in the last furlong. Waikiki's tenacious demeanour got the better of Smiles Of Fortune in the shadow of the winning post. The General put in a spirited run in the straight but failed to quicken enough and finish third ahead of Believe. The benefit of a run helped the first four finishers as against the debutants.

Veteran Imtiaz Sait led in the first winner of day Geographique (Golden Horn - Island Dreams) who outclassed her opponents to achieve her maiden success. Geographique was inconvenienced at the start by the tardy jump taken by Zip Along but made up lost ground swiftly to follow leader Prince O'War into the home stretch. The winner was sighted long way from home when Neeraj Rawal released his grip on Geographique's reins. The bay filly went past the leader in a trice to record an impressive win. Goldiva ended a faraway second whilst Brave Beauty finished on peg back long time leader Prince O'War for the third spot. Jerusalem finished fifth after a slow start.