WITH SIR CECIL OUT OF THE WAY…THE BANGALORE 2000 GUINEAS OPENS UP

The main challenger to the champion colt Sir Cecil appears to be Star Superior. With news doing the rounds that, Sir Cecil was to stay on in Bangalore for the Guineas and then move to Chennai for the Derby before heading for Mahalaxmi, Star Superior was sent on his way to Mumbai. Half way through his journey to Mumbai, news arrived that Sir Cecil was loaded on a float and on his to Mumbai too. This left the connections of Star Superior frazzled, for had he stayed on in Bangalore, he would have been the one to beat there. The Bangalore 2000 Guineas is a wide open race with nine contenders participating. We preview the contenders in order of their rating.

KNOTTY ASH
(Gusto-Dovers Hill) b c rated 77
This surprise package was a first outing winner over 6f. He won his third race, the Mysore Colts Trial Stakes over 7f beating Mongolian King by 3¾ lengths while receiving 5kgs from the runner up. He was then last of five in the Mysore Race Club Million run over the mile, 3¼ lengths off the winner Psychic Force, while conceding 5kgs to the winner. Next over 10f, he was third to Mr Handsome by 3 lengths while giving the winner 3kgs. He stormed into the Pune Derby almost pulling it off, a short neck separated him from the winner Pioneer. In preparation for this race, he was ridden by an apprentice who reduced the weight difference between himself and the winner Psychic Force from 8½kgs to 6½kgs taking 2kgs off, and finished just a neck away from Peluche who was a similar distance away from Psychic Force at the wire. He is in top form and has a great chance of running away with glory.

NEW MOON
(Dean’s Kitten-Atmosphere) ch g rated 76
Has won twice over 7f, beating Psychic Force by 1½ length on the first occasion, and Torsoro by 2½ lengths on the next. He then made the trip to Pune for the S A Poonawalla Million where he finished in fourth to Excellent by 2 lengths. In his first start this season he finished in fourth Iris, Ultimate Warrior and Siobhan, when running in a Terms races in Group company. A Sandesh will have to work hard to see him through.

MR HANDSOME
(Tazahum-Youre So Beautiful) dk b c rated 73
Mr Handsome shed his maiden status in January this year over the 7f trip on his third start, and was then sent to Chennai where he annexed the Madras Gold Vase, Gr.3 run over 7f. He then ran a disappointing race in Bangalore, running against good horses, finishing last in a four horse race to Desperado by 8¾ length, with Corfe Castle and Salvador making up the rest of the field. Raced in Mysore next over 10f in a Class 3 race, he won by a short neck from the favourite Velocidad, finishing 3 lengths ahead of Knotty Ash, who later almost won the Pune Derby, having given Pioneer the scare of his life, a nose separating them at the wire. In the same race the well-bred Psychic Force was last of all. The Mysore Derby was a disaster for him where he finished last of all to Sir Cecil, but apart from being 26 lengths behind the winner, he was last in the second bunch of horses to cross the wire. In preparation for his major test, he won over the mile trip beating Angelino by 2 lengths while conceding 7½kgs to him as well. With Suraj Narredu in the saddle he  has a very good chance to win it.

SEA QUEST
(Uncle Mo-Anahi) b g rated 72
This extremely well-bred gelding won his maiden start, the Juvenile Sprinters Million in Bangalore by 6¼ lengths from Knotty Ash on June 30. Subsequently he was withdrawn when set to race in the Bangalore Summer Million in August. He has issues with the gates and tends to get too warmed up as was seen even at the start of a mock recently in Mumbai. Yash Narredu know how to handle him and if he behaves at the gates, he would definitely spell big trouble for the other contenders.

PSYCHIC FORCE
(Multidimensional-Psychic Light) b c rated 68
The winner of the Mysore Race Club Million run over the mile was then sent to Hyderabad where he finished fourth to Star Superior in the Deccan Colts Championship Stakes, with Corfe Castle and My Opinion ahead of him. Sent off to Mysore he finished last over the 10f trip, and something must have gone terribly wrong to produce that result. He was raced over the mile trip at the start of the winter season, which he  won beating Peluche by a neck, while receiving 5kgs.
Knotty Ash was a further neck away in third giving 8½kgs to the winner. The well-bred colt will have to fight hard for victory.

SALVADOR DALI
(Excellent Art-Mystic Quest) b c rated 49
This colt won his first start over 6f in style and much was expected to follow. He has not had much luck thereafter, and of little significance is the race over 7f, where he finished third to Desperado in a four horse field, 2 lengths to the good of Mr Handsome while receiving 4kgs from him. He will have to muster up  more to make a difference and perhaps the help will come in the form of David Allan, who partners him in the race.

THE INVADER
(Total Gallery-Dajolie) b rig rated 49
He shed his maiden status on his fourth attempt over the 7f trip and was then stretched over the mile where he finished 4½ lengths, in second to King Of The Wind. He will find the going tough.

VALEGRO
(Canford Cliffs-Choice House) b c rated 42
This well-bred got abroad shed his maiden status on his third attempt in Pune beating Pulverise by 3¾ lengths in a maiden set. Prior to this race he did attempt the mile, falling short, finishing second to Till End Of Time. In his first race this season he finished 1¾ lengths in second to the impressive winner, King Khalil while conceding 6kgs to the winner. The in-form Leigh Roche is set to partner this Western India challenger  and try and make this a Classic double, after his recent victory on Oomph.

AIR COMMAND
(Air Support-Arabica) b c rated 34
The lowest rated horse in this Classic, has shed his maiden status on his fourth run, the first this season over the 6f trip. He has been raced just once over the 7f trip finishing last of ten runners, the winner there was Isn’t She Lovely. Totally out his depth here.