The Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby has attracted 20 hopefuls, the highest number lining up for the coveted Mother of all Derbies in India in recent years. While the Sunday`s mega event at Mahalaxmi was sure to attract a packed gathering, the same was not expected of the line for the Derby as at least five of the contenders looked far superior to the rest. However, as the saying goes, when you choose hope, anything is possible. The fact that the final entry fee is not too taxing is perhaps the reason why the number of final entries is at an all-time high.

Most trainers have taken the first step in the belief that they can succeed more in keeping with RWITC`s much acclaimed slogan if you never go, you never no. B Fifty-Two, Bold Appeal, Bold Command, Bullrun, Gestapo, Jefferson, Magnificence, Ostwind, Shadowfax, and Shivalik Heroine could be classified as horses who have dared to fail in the hope that they could land the jackpot. Among the horses grouped here, Bold Command is the winner of a classic at Mysore besides losing the Derby there by a whisker. After that effort Bold Command has lost form and hasn`t done anything significant. There is also doubt whether he would tackle the mile and half trip effectively. Quite often horses least reckoned to have chances have pulled off the biggest surprises in racing and as such, no runner can be taken for granted. Not long ago, Noble Eagle who was entered in the Derby more as a pace maker for his owner-mates, stunned everyone with a start to finish victory. Upsets of this nature have been par for this race. One cannot forget the fact that a few years ago, Super Storm won the race against the run of expectations.

With the field being unwieldy, fancied runners have not only the opposition to worry about but also rapidly falling back horses. Generally good horses find their way but then one cannot be sure that there won`t be any hiccup. In a race of this nature, the draw number, ability to get a suitable position and timing the final challenge to a nicety are key factors. Since the top contenders are closely matched, there is very little margin for error.

Pesi Shroff trained Costa Del Sol has trained on brilliantly. After winning the Gr 1 Poonawalla Multi-Million, Costa Del Sol was well rested before he showed up at Pune and won twice. Though he went down narrowly to Phoenix Tiger, the highest rated horse in the fray, narrowly in the 2000 Guineas, many felt that a better quality ride than the one offered by Pradeep Chouhan would have fetched him the win Since then he has gone on to win the race over 2000 metres in record timing which he held for a brief time as the same was bettered by champion Quasar two weeks ago. Costa Del Sol is a brilliant horse, easy to ride and his regular jockey Trevor Patel said: ``Costa Del Sol has brilliant temperament. You can switch him at any position in a race and when you ask for a response, he produces a brilliant turn of foot.`` Of course, Trevor who has been associated with the horse in all its major wins, will not be astride the horse as his commitments as a retainer will see him ride Sea Lord. Jim Doyle who rode in India in the last decade in his formative years has been summoned to ride the champion. Doyle has distinguished himself as a top notch jockey with amazing success in big races. He has the ideal temperament and he is sure to provide quality assistance to the son of Phoenix Tower in his bid for the ultimate race of Indian racing. The only worry though is that the sire of Costa Del Sol, hasn`t had any winner in group races over the gruelling trip of 2400 metres. However, Costa Del Sol has the class on his side and there is no reason why he cannot tackle the trip as effectively as he has done over the shorter distance. Quite often, the Derbies in India have been won not by pure stayers but by those who are blessed with class and brilliance.

Dallas Todywalla trained Phoenix Tiger would have enjoyed the tag of being the favourite but for his unexpected loss to Colombiana in the Ruia Cup. That defeat can be considered as an aberration as Phoenix Tiger went wide and didn`t produce the kind of acceleration that he was famous for. However, the fact remains that his dam has been a prover sprinter and produced only speedy horses. He is the only horse in the fray who has beaten the main contenders on one occasion or the other. Phoenix Tiger carries the weight of expectations and if he has no issues with the trip, he will be right there at the finish.

Padmanabhan trained Desert God is a dual Derby winner. He recorded a smashing win in the Deccan Derby during the monsoon season and lost in the Mysore Derby due to a poor quality ride. Subsequent to that effort, he won two classics at Kolkata without having to be fully stretched. He had something in hand when keeping Multitude and Setaflame at bay in the Calcutta Derby. Desert God has trained on well and he stands a great chance of recording yet another Derby win. Desert God`s dam finished second best in this Derby long ago but her son has as good a chance as anye. He had beaten Colombiana at Hyderabad in the Colts Championship Stakes and the latter beat Phoenix Tiger in his last effort over 2000 metres definitely boosts the chances of Desert God who has not done anything wrong. Desert God had the luck of the race going against him the Kingfisher Derby where he finished an unlucky second to Angel Dust and the latter has gone on to win the Bangalore Winter Derby which should also suggest that Desert God is a prime contender for the plum.

Pesi Shroff trained Myrtlewood is sure to have a number of supporters to win the Derby. She proved herself to be the Empress of the fillies by the smashing manner in which she won the Villoo Poonawalla Indian Oaks. Though she beat a poor lot of fillies, the quality of that win, despite a poor ride, speaks volumes for the class of Myrtlewood. Jockey Pradeep Chouhan pulled her out from the rails to the wide outside at the top of the straight and despite all this, she scythed through the field with hardly any effort. Though she is racing in two weeks` time, there is no denying the fact that she will be a force to reckon with if given a quality ride by her regular partner.

Colombiana, Sea Lord, Setaflame,Brilliant Cut and Star Formation are all capable of crowding at the finish.

Dreams are the savior for those chasing the ultimate prize in Indian racing. The splendor of the event itself is the inspiration to step forward. Be there at Mahalaxmi to soak in the splendorous atmosphere and see what it means to be the winner.