The south India challenger, Sans Peur (Trevor Patel-up), from trainer Suleiman Attaollahi`s stable, proved a shade superior to the western India speedster, Gold Bag (Dashrath Singh), and the local champion, Evesham (C. Alford), when locked in a blanket-finish to win the 1,200m Nepal Gold Cup, Friday`s feature event. The afternoon`s seven-event card also witnessed Trevor booting home trainer Narendra Lagad`s Valentino to another hard earned victory over Meet The Legend (Ashhad Asbar) and Scarlet Emperor (Arshad Alam) in the Harendro Krishto Dutt Memorial Cup. It was not a mere coincidence when another visiting trainer`s, Vishal Gaikwad`s, quiet-fancy, Kings Canyon, walked away with the Touch of Silver Handicap.

The marked superiority of the outstation class, in the concluding three events was evidently on display. However, the local professionals claimed the opening four events that were neglected by the outstation invaders.

Trevor had the 4/1 chance in the betting, Sans Peur, settled alongside of Gold Bag while Zander (apprentice Munna Alam) made most of the running. Approaching the final furlong, the tiring leader gave way to Sans Peur but a hard battle was on the cards as Evesham had also made a significant surge, making the task of the winner that much difficult. At the wire, a mere short-neck and half-a-length separated the Sans Peur, Gold Bag and Evesham as they finished in the order named.

Valentino, an 11/4 favourite, wasn`t an easy ride for Trevor. Settled in the mid-division, Trevor had his ride off the bridle 600m from home while the early leaders – Gimme Credit and Meet The Legend were going a double-handful in the Dutt Memorial Cup. The early realisation of Valentino`s apathy to gallop paid dividends in the last furlong. Valentino covered the leeway in an amazing manner to get into the top gear and score.

Kings Canyon (Akshay), however, proved too speedy for the other visiting horses and also for the local challengers. Taken to the front within a furlong of the start, the Jeremy son went about the task of winning after dashing hopes of his western India compatriot, Dragon Of War, early in the straight, and finally the 3/1 favourite local challenger, Mellow Fellow, who walked into the contention passing the distance post.

Another one, who won his race from the start, and with authority, was trainer Manvendra Singh`s youngster, Fortune Express (apprentice Hindu Singh), in the baby race, the 1,200m Spats Colombo Plate. The Express Wish colt build up his lead gradually; from length and a half in the first four furlongs to eight-plus in the last 400 metres. Trainer Bharath Singh`s Rufus (Md Islam) was best of the rest in a close finish for the minor placings; also involving the two fancied runners – Jacobin (Trevor) and Shohin (Dashrath).

Bharath`s Strom Front (Dashrath), too, won impressively in the 1,600m King`s Academy Handicap. Out-paced early in the race while Arti doctor`s (Artificial apprentice Ranidan Singh) called the shots with Sam Houston, Ximore and Royal Consort in chase, Dashrath made a quiet progress along the rails on Strom Front to come within the striking range as the field turned for home. It was easy for the Burden of Proof son when asked for efforts nearing the distance post. The three-year-old merely needed a tap or two in his victory attempt, and he may be expected to strike again if not penalised harshly for fluent victory.

Trainer Vijay Singh`s Classic hope Ophion (Munna), who was castrated during monsoon season, which he missed, was considered home and dry in the 1,400m Ambretta Handicap. However, the Abbeyside son fell short at the wire by a whisker. Trainer Vikash Jaiswal`s long-shot, Celtic King (Sandeep Rajput) was the surprise winner of the race. Alfords` – Rutherford`s and Richard`s – trio of Pick Pocket, Amazing Maria and Murlough Bay made most of the running in the race, leaving Ophion settled along the rain in the mid-division. However, Ophion missed some ground when switched from the rails to the out, 250m from home in his effort to shoot into the lead. The horse did look comfortable with a two-length lead; until Celtic King produced an electrifying run on the wide out to stump the favourite, virtually at the post.

Arti`s Adriatic Sea (Alford), however, produced an amazing performance to win the 2,000m Sky Classic Handicap. The top-weighted runner had made his debut during the monsoon season but was neglected in the betting because of his limited exposure and inexperience over the middle-distance trip. The Arabia Gulf son proved everyone wrong. The horse won, and easily, thanks to Alford`s waiting tactics.