Nayef claims Champion glory

Nayef finally came good at the highest level when running on strongly to land the Group One Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket today under a fine ride by Richard Hills.

The Marcus Tregoning-trained colt went into winter quarters last year as favourite for the Sagitta 2000 Guineas and Vodafone Derby after two impressive wins as a juvenile.

However, Nayef failed to live up to expectations this spring and was given an early summer break.

The half-brother to dual Classic winner Nashwan has returned better than ever and after rattling off three successive wins in Group Three contests he comfortably took today`s step up in grade in the Stg£400,000 feature in his long stride.

His stable companion Albarahin and Aidan O`Brien`s Beckett cut out the early running with Nayef tracking the leaders.

Tobougg, one of two Godolphin runners, swept into the lead with two furlongs left to travel but Hills had him in his sights and sent Nayef about his business.

Quickening nicely Nayef, the 11-4 favourite, settled the issue well inside the final furlong, beating Derby third Tobougg (11-1) by three-quarters of a length with David Elsworth`s 66-1 shot Indian Creek keeping on gamely for third four lengths away.

Hills described the scintillating performance of Nayef as 'fantastic' and added: 'He was always travelling well.'

He said: 'It has been a tremendous team effort from everybody. In the spring, there was a lot of pressure on all of us.

'I came down on Tuesday and he worked fantastic. It`s great. We got the job done.'

Tregoning said: 'I think he showed enough as a two-year-old. We were encouraged with what he did at two.

'It`s wonderful that it`s come right. It has been an uphill curve and he has reached the top of that curve. The patience of the owner (Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum) and the help from Richard has paid off. It`s a very exciting day for us.'

He added that he was 'absolutely thrilled' by the way Nayef had worked during the week.

'He has been absolutely buzzing at home' he said.