Big B, from trainer Lokanath’s yard, showed remarkable turn of foot to maintain his winning sequence in the Hampi Cup (Div I) which featured Friday’s races. Big B has stayed unbeaten in all the handicap races he has run in since winter and his winning sequence has been extended to four in a row. The only aberration was when he ran poorly in the Bangalore Derby over a trip which may not have suited him. Unlike on all other occasions when Big B won, assuming command from the start, this time out, he was well off the pace and at one stage looked beat until he was pulled off the rails in the final furlong by jockey Appu. Big B devoured ground with big strides to easily overhaul the front-running Noble Excellency who was shaping to win. Favourite Imperialism was not sighted. There was big support for Imperialism who had been edged out of second spot by Galloping Bay in his last essay. However, the son of Greensmith was never in contention, finishing dismally. Demanding set a scorching pace and looked like lasting out but his reserves ran out rounding the final bend even as Noble Excellency took charge inside the final 300 metres. However, his supremacy was short lived as Big B came with raking strides to win with a measure of comfort. Demanding was third. The lower division of the race went the way of Romantic Count who has now matured into a consistent performer. Romantic Count had no problem in winning from Torodoro who was a leisurely second. Al Qamar enjoyed favouritism but the four-year old gelding who is said to be a choker under pressure, packed up at the top of the straight after showing out prominently. Jockey B Prakash was lucky to escape with a mere fine of Rs.10,000 for his lacklustre effort on Smarty in the Star Contender Plate. Prakash sat behind on the market fancy and hardly moved a muscle till the final furlong. Smarty flew home to lose narrowly. There was a flood of money on Purusharth who added to the misery of punters by putting up a pathetic show. Adelaide, who had run a forward race last time out, lasted out from Settle The Score to win at nourishing odds. Smarty reportedly came back lame and this was perhaps what influenced the Stewards’ decision to treat Prakash leniently. However, it was apparent that Smarty who flew home showed no signs of distress during the race. Prakash is a champion rider and as such, he carries public trust with him and the onus is on him to be a fair public expectations. Trainer Rashid Byramji, who has been biding his time, had a well priced winner through Exclaim in the High Commission Cup (Div). Though Exclaim was blazing the track, it was Lava who came in for sudden burst of money which ensured that he ran as a favourite. Lava took charge at the final bend but ran out of gas even as his supporters were hailing him as a winner. Tina’s Triumph, who had everything going for him, had no answer when Exclaim swooped on him with a powerful run. High Tower who had stripped fit after a couple of outings, managed to win the lower division from favourite One Tough Guy who took time to warm up. The Hyderabad challenger badly needed this run and One Tough Guy should make a profitable essay next time out. Contare Su Me continued to disappoint. Nityanand trained Turf Raider, who had run a forward race in his last outing, landed the spoils without much fuss in the Beautiful Babe Plate (Div.I). Incidentally, both the divisions of the race went to the progeny of Young Senor. Turf Raider who moved swiftly from the fourth position to be in a prominent position at the top of the straight, powered his way to victory despite drifting out slightly under pressure. There was quiet support for Dancing Duke who found the eventual winner too hard to catch up. Spirited Commander put in an eye-catching performance. The lower division of the race went the way of Star Movements who had the race in her control from the word `go’. Sanjay Kolse had done well to bring Raphaela into fine trim after the filly had gone sour. As a three-year old, Raphaela had accounted for horses like Venus Arising and Warsaw Pact. Raphaela had showed signs of coming good, with a resolute win back home at Mumbai and turning out in much better shape here in Bangalore; she had the measure of Trade Fair quite capably. Spectacular Blaze was the favourite but he was not up to defying the penalty for his last win. The Peak ran a poor race.