Ascoval, Knight in Hooves tipped for Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million

Mahalaxmi racecourse in Mumbai. Pic/Shadab Khan

An excellent field of 13 juveniles will line up for the richest race for their age, the grade 1, Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million (PBMM), the prime attraction of the nine-race card slated for Sunday at Mahalaxmi.

Four Bangalore challengers are in the fray, and two of them appear to be in forward condition: Ascoval and Knight In Hooves, both are winners of one race each at Bangalore, and both are progenies of the stallion Excellent Art, standing at the Poonawalla stud farm, owned by the sponsors of the race.

They will lock horns with two most promising juveniles from western India--Miracle and Dragones, who finished in that order in the grade 3, Panchshil Breeders' Produce Stakes at the Pune racetrack three weeks ago.

A look at the video of Ascoval's victory run at Bangalore gave me the impression that he is stuffed with class, and therefore, I nominate him as first choice.

First race at 1.30 pm.
Selections:

Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy - Div II (Class V; 1000m)
Super Girl 1, Little More 2, Grey Falcon 3.

Kumar R Dalal Gold Trophy (Class I; 1600m)
Trouvaille 1, Truly Epic 2, Bronx 3.

Hong Kong Jockey Club Trophy - Div I (Class V; 1000m)
Noble King 1, Divija 2, Desert Fire 3.

Isn't She Special Plate (Class V; 2000m)
Melisandre 1, Mandeville 2, Brazoz 3.

Florrie & Freddy Sopher Gold Trophy (Class III; 1000m)
Aegon 1, Menilly 2, Memorable Memories 3.

Intervalve Poonawalla Ltd Trophy (For 3y, maidens; 1200m)
Petronia 1, Alastair 2, Multiencrypted 3.

Poonawalla Breeders' Multi-Million - Gr 1 (For 3y; 1400m)
Ascoval 1, Miracle 2, Knight In Hooves 3.

Darashaw Indian St. Leger - Gr 1 (For 5y; 2800m)
Parisian 1, Juliette 2, Wizard Of Stocks 3.

Dr Goolam E Vahanvati Trophy (For 5y&o, class IV; 1400m)
Dreams 1, Black Cherry 2, Divine Hunt 3.

Recommendations
Best bet: Parisian (8-6)
Upsets: Multistarrer (4-4), River Song (6-14), Dragoness (7-10) & White River (9-6)

Today's pools
Super jackpot pool: 4,5,6,7,8,9
Jackpot pool: I - 3,4,5,6,7; II - 5,6,7,8,9
Treble pool: I - 2,3,4; II - 6,7,8; III - 7,8,9
Tanala pool: All races.