Nayef impresses with gallop

Nayef delighted connections with a racecourse gallop on the Polytrack surface at Lingfield as the four-year-old continued his build-up to a crack at one of two big targets over the next few weeks.

Marcus Tregoning`s colt holds entries in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on Saturday week, as well as the Juddmonte International at York next month.

'We worked him over the pretty stiff mile here,' Tregoning told attheraces. 'I have brought him here in the past and I was very pleased with him.

'It was a proper bit of work and, most importantly, Richard (Hills) rode him and was very, very pleased with him. He certainly quickened up well and travelled really well in the work. We were very happy.

'He looks fantastic - I couldn`t be more happier with his condition muscle-wise and he looks in great form, and is working like it - that`s the main thing.'

Nayef`s owner Hamdan Al Maktoum also has favourite Sakhee in line for a crack at the Ascot feature,although connections have expressed some doubt over the participation of the Godolphin runner if the ground at the Berkshire track came up fast.

And asked about where Nayef might appear next, Tregoning added: 'If the ground stays on the fast side we`re thinking we are going to go for the King George with him. He`s also got the Juddmonte International at York as a possibility.

'I think we`ll see how we go in his next race and plan from there but possibly at the end of the year we`re looking towards Chicago.'