Nayef gains revenge on Golan

Nayef overcame a scare at the start to gain revenge on Golan as the pair served up another tight finish at York today.

There was only a head between the pair after their dramatic tussle in last month’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot and just half a length separated them following another duel here in the Juddmonte International Stakes.

But Ascot runner-up Nayef came out on top this time in the £450,000 contest, despite having to be reshod at the start after spreading a plate.

The four-year-old, sent off 6-4 favourite in spite of the alarm, showed no sign of discomfort during the race as he tracked the pace-making Starbourne before hitting the front three furlongs from home under Richard Hills.

Kieren Fallon stoked up Golan for an effort but he could not quite catch the winner, though he comfortably held off Noverre for second by a length and a half, with Indian Creek fourth.

Marcus Tregoning admitted that he had expected that Nayef would win this time, particularly after galloping-companion Mubtaker had taken the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury last Saturday.

"He had been working so well I was really quite confident," the trainer said. "You just know when they are absolutely spot-on. I thought he would win. I think had there been more pace he would have won easier.

"He is a super horse to have. People say ’what about the pressure?’ but aren’t we lucky to have him."

Tregoning played down the effects of Nayef’s scare before the race, saying: "He was as cool as anything at the start, he hardly turned a hair."

Hills added: "He stood there like he was in his box at home and that shows what a good temperament he has got."

Nayef has now won eight of his 14 career starts, with three Group One victories and earnings of over £1.6m.

But his next target remains undecided, with tilts at the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Irish Champion Stakes or Champion Stakes - which he won last year - all under consideration.

Tregoning hinted that Newmarket was his favoured option, saying: "It would be pretty good to win another Champion Stakes and that might well be on the cards.

"At Newmarket we are likely to have better ground. The ground in Ireland has been very difficult this year and I certainly wouldn’t want to put him through that - he is better on good to firm, the faster the ground the better.

"But I have got to discuss it with Hamdan Al Maktoum and Angus Gold and hopefully between us we will get it right."

Sheikh Hamdan appeared less than keen on a visit to Arlington for the Breeders’ Cup.

"It is a long way as it would be a 30-hour trip," the owner said. And he has been on the go since March.

"I think he could go for one of the Champion Stakes, either Ireland or Newmarket."

Sheikh Hamdan believes Nayef still has some way to go to match his half-brother Nashwan, who won four prestigious Group One contests when with Major Dick Hern - to whom Tregoning was assistant - in 1989.

"He is not Nashwan," the owner said. "Nashwan won the Guineas, the Derby, the Eclispe and the King George - and the Major told me he wanted to run him in the July Cup!"

Sheikh Hamdan won the Juddmonte 12 months ago with Sakhee, who is also a possible for the the Irish Champion Stakes.

He believes physical problems are to blame for the recent defeat of the five-year-old, who was officially rated Europe’s champion racehorse in 2001 but trailed in a modest second to Wellbeing at Deauville earlier this month.

"After he has had treatment and worked we will see," the owner said. "Don’t forget that two years ago he had knee problems. I haven’t spoken to the vet but that is what I think the problem is now.

"At Deauville he was carrying his head up high and he was sweating before the race, which he doesn’t normally do."

Golan is 13-2 third favourite with Coral to resume winning ways back over a mile and a half in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Trainer Michael Stoute said: "A furlong out I thought he might get there but all credit to the winner.

“My fellow has run a big race."

Godolphin were happy with Group One-winning miler’s Noverre’s first attempt at a mile and a quarter.

"He is a very versatile horse and it was another top-class performance," said racing manager Simon Crisford. "We’ll be looking at the Champion Stakes for him."