Western Ballad pops Almasi Civil service Gold Cup in Ngong

Lamenting her spick, span, steep and steady ways, Western Ballad (Daniel Tanui), sat calmly in second place behind Knighthood, before jumping across the Almasi Capital Civil Service Gold Cup wire.

As Paragon was his usual tolerant self in third, but Marillynn Bengough's, Western Ballad, continues to ring circles round anything on four legs.

Our ninety-star nap, Snow Heron, was at the Skyward Express Sapphire Champagne Stakes line, before Busselton or Turbadore, could even dial a thought.

Gideon Moi's sprinting Queen, Snow Heron, would not be out-done at Royal Ascot. 'Molto bravo' to Julie McCann and Steve Njuguna, who also dealt an Ace of Spades in the Kenya Oaks with School of Rock.

The Classic morphed into a really decent race, regardless of winner seniority.

Ari G returned to his former status of leading stayer, by lambasting through the 2,800m Liaison Group Louis Cup, from yard associate, Eighth Wonder.

NGONG RESULTS

12.40 pm - First Race - Chogoria Maiden (1,200m)

1. Shaman (Richard Kibet)

2. Romeo Foxtrot (Mark Mburu)

3. Splendid (Charles Mwangi)

Distance: half/2.4/1/8. Time: 1:14:8/10 secs. Favourite: Winner Glascote Rose. Runners: 7

Owned by Mim Haynes and Carol Bremner. Trainer Patsy Sercombe

1.10 pm - Second Race - The Skyward Express Sapphire Champagne Stakes (1,200m)

1. Snow Heron (Julie McCann) Ideal World-White Wood Aster

2. Busselton (Charles Mwangi)

3. Turbadore (Patrick Mungai)

4. Crixus (Mark Mburu)

Distance: 8/8/2.75/3.4. Time: 1:11:9/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 1-9. Runners: 6

Owned by Gideon Moi. Trainer Steve Njuguna

1.45 pm - Third Race - The Liaison Group Louis Cup (2,800m)

1. Ari G (Protus Ngugi) Triarius-Gilded Cage

2. Eighth Wonder (Peter Maina)

3. Loan Shark (Michael Micino)

4. Mama Mia (Patrick Mungai)

Distance: 7/8/4.4/7. Time: 3:00:7/10 secs. Favourite: Nothing specific. Runners: 7

Owned by Justin Mburu, H. Korir, S. and R. Hasham. Trainer Onesmus Mutua

2.15 pm - Fourth Race - The Almasi Capital Civil Service Gold Cup (1,600m)

1. Western Ballad (Daniel Tanui) Go Deputy-Western Serenade

2. Knighthood (Lesley Sercombe)

3. As Paragon (Julie McCann)

4. Their First Song (Mark Mburu)

Distance: neck/2.75/short-head/2. Time: 1:40:00 secs. Favourite: Winner 4-7. Runners: 9

Owned by Chuck and Marilynn Bengough. Trainer Marilynn Bengough

2.40 pm - Fifth Race - Gorges Valley Handicap (1,800m)

1. Mkuki (Josphat Kultiang)

2. Tenby (Lesley Sercombe)

3. Rifle Range (James Muhindi)

Distance: 1.4/3.5/neck/2.75. Time: 1:52:5/10 secs. Favourite: Tenby. Runners: 12

Owned by Doctor E. Monari. Trainer Nur Nuno

3.25 pm - Sixth Race - The Kenya Oaks (2,400m)

1. School of Rock (Julie McCann) Atso-Rock in the Forum

2. Wall of Fire (Mark Mburu)

3. Milou (Richard Kibet)

4. Newsworthy Protus Ngugi)

5. Krumkake (Patrick Mungai)

Distance: 2.75/0.75/1.5/1.4. Time: 2:41:4/10 secs. Favourite: Winner 2-7. Runners: 8

Owned by Anna Bhaloo, P. Anjana, F. Puchercos, Runye Karlsen. Trainer Steve Njuguna

3.55 pm - Seventh Race - Lake Michaelson Handicap (1,800m)

1. Tuff Cookie Henry Muya)

2. Marshall Murphy (James Muhindi)

3. Saclan (Daniel Tanui)

Distance: 0.75/2.4/2.75/5.75. Time: 1:56:2/10 secs. Favourite: Chantelle. Runners: 10

Owned and trained by Joe Muya

4.25 pm - Eighth Race - Nithi Stream Handicap (1,400m)

1. King of Oxted (Protus Ngugi)

2. Silverado (Patrick Mungai)

3. Trade Secret (James Muhindi)

Distance: 2.4/7/1.5/1.4. Time: 1:26:3/10 secs. Favourite: Caitlin. Runners: 8

Owned by Justin Mburu. Trainer Onesmus Mutua

Next meeting June 4 - Aga Khan Diamond Jubilee, Harry Deacon, Kenya Police Cup, and, Jill Harley Memorial