Well  it proved to be another disaster from the punters point of view, a solitary on-money favourite King's Battalion coming through in the seven-event card dominated by lesser fancied contestants, while the favourites again took a back seat  much to the disappointment of followers of form, who have no place to hide after losing their shirts week after week at the Nilgiris this season. 

On the strength of his impressive second behind the Bangalore raider Bharat in the 2000 Guineas, King's Battalion from Fahad Khan's yard garnered the top billing in the Nilgiris Forest Trophy and the public rage confidently piloted by Ashhad Asbar proved too good for his seven rivals, cruising home without unduly being extended. This Fahad Khan trainee is on top of his game and is set to provide an encore. Krishvi from the stables of Mandanna followed the winner home ahead of Annette,while Charukala completed the frame. 

Despite the fact that he went down narrowly after calling the shots for most part of the 1500 metres trip last week, Gingersnap from Suraj Shaw's yard was not fancied most, smart money coming on the Parmar schooled Abnegator in the Emerald Valley Handicap run over a mile. But Abnegator piloted by MS Deora found the going tough and finished down the field. Gingersnap fresh from that good run under his belt seized the initiative at the top of the straight and showed a clean pair of heels to his seven rivals romping home in emphatic fashion. The eight to one shot Malacca from Ramanathan's yard gained the runner-up berth ahead of Memory Lane, while Sensations from McKeown's yard in her attempt to make every post a winning one shot her bolt at the top of the straight and finished last. 

Last start winner Truth In Wine from Vijay Singh's yard partnered by Hindu Singh and Alpha Domino from Saddam's stable topped the betting board in the Hill Stamina Cup run over a distance of 2000 metres. But the two frontline contenders, it appeared were never in the hunt in this energy-sapping trip and soon the `Jodi' went out of the window, the moment the six to one shot Cape Wickham assumed command and put the issue beyond doubt in the final furlong. Leading saddle artiste Umesh  produced a neat effort on the McKeown ward who will add to his winning kitty in the months ahead. Royal Baron from the stables of Suresh finished second ahead of Alpha Domino who raced in patches, while Truth In Wine performed below par much to the chagrin of the frustrated followers of form. 

Last start winner Raffinato from Fahad Khan's yard recorded his second straight victory coming up trumps in the upper division of the Zurbaran Handicao run over a sprint. Umesh again produced a sublime effort to record a double. The eight to one shot Despacito gained the runner-up berth ahead of another lesser fancied contestant Saint Emilion, while the strongly fancied Mon General from Ajith Kumar's yard finished in the ruck. 

The lower division of the event was claimed by the second in demand at the betting ring, Lebua from trainer Ramanathan's yard. Apprentice jockey Koshi Kumar producedc a copybook effort on the winner, tracking the two early leaders The Rebel and Wilbur for most part of the six furlongs trip before he sent Lebua sailing ahead at the top of the straight and then quickly put the race to bed in the final furlong. Wild Frank caught the eye while finishing a game second and is one for the notebook. 

Like Raffinato, Blue Eyed Boy from  Ramanathan 's yard registered his second straight success, coming up tops in the Moment Of Glory Handicap run over a distance of seven furlongs. The winner piloted by Koshi Kumar produced a sparkling gallop in the `run in' home to snuff out the challenge of Kallipos in the final two strides to the delight of the Ramanathan camp. Hot favourite Salome from James McKeown's yard after being favourably placed all through the 1400 metres trip lacked the gas in the tank to make a race of it and finished a tame third. Blue Eyed Boy, it must be mentioned is on top of his game and is line to complete a hat-trick of wins when saddled next. 

Five to one shot Queen Anula from Ajith Kumar's yard recorded her second win this season reigning supreme in the opening event, the Woodbine Handicap run over a distance of 1300 metres. Cloud Jumper followed the winner home, while the strongly fancied favourite Jahzara failed to even save money in place. 

Well  with favourites falling like nine pins ftrom the start this season, punters have taken a big beating and it is only the bold and brave who are willing to take a chance in the weeks ahead, while most railbirds have decided to hold their horses till the Derby week-end.