held up, headway and not clear run just inside final furlong, soon ridden and switched right, ran on, nearest at finish
slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, led and hung left inside final furlong, driven out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, never trouble leaders
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, not much room inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not much room and hampered towards finish, not recover
prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, nor much room inside final furlong, kept on
A smashing race for the Group 2 Challenge Stakes and our nomination is Trade Fair over last year's winner Nayyir plus Tillerman and Arakan. Roger Charlton's colt has had a stop-start year, mainly because he needs fast going. Well, he's got it today and has an opportunity to further emphasise the abundant talent he has suggested both in the races he has contested so far this year and in terms of his impressive physique. He could - ought to - be a Group 1 performer next year. This is his toughest test to date and his main opponents appear to come in the shape of Tillerman, Nayyir, Arakan and Just James. Tillerman runs in the same colours as the selection but Richard Hughes has opted to ride Trade Fair. Tillerman is very capable on his day, as his third in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes last time testified. Nayyir won this race last year but, as a consequence, has to shoulder a penalty. He was sick in the later part of last season following a trip to Hong Kong. It reflects very well on the talents of trainer Gerard Butler that he got him back to a level that saw him beat Arakan a head in Goodwood's Lennox Stakes in July. He is entitled to go well, as is Arakan, although Nayyir has to carry a four-pound penalty because of that success. They appear to be the main contenders, but Trade Fair gets a confident nomination.
