Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes 2010

1.50 Newmarket
Victor Chandler Challenge Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £51,093

Picks: Delegator (win), Mabait (each/way)

Shakesperian: Tough reliable sort who won well on Godolphin debut at Epsom to start season but had been seemingly exposed since in better races; However, dangerous when allowed to go infront, and beat field rated much higher when allowed lead in Hungerford; Well beaten when not allowed same luxury in Hugerford and with Red Jazz in field, that scenario seems set to repeat itself.

Cat Junior: Consistent horse who has been hard to win with, despite a number of good runs in strong company; Looked good when winning Group 3 at Meydan before disappointing when ninth behind Calming Influence and in Queen Anne but right back to best with fast closing seconds in Betfair Cup and Hungerford Stakes; Likely to find one too good.

Delegator: Was a high-class performer last year, winning the Craven prior to finishing second in the 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes, winning the Celebration Mile, coming third in the QEII and respectable fifth in Breeder’s Cup Mile; Winner of the Dubai Duty Free Cup on his return from injury last month and with that under his belt, likely to take all the beating.

Dream Eater: Excellent 5th in 2,000 Guineas 2 years ago before then finishing 3rd in the Jersey Stakes, suffering a setback afterwards; Has continued to run some consistent races at decent level (good second in Turkey last time) and had a career best season, but has found it hard to win sometimes and this is good race.

Duff: Back to near best when only beaten 4 and a bit lengths in Park Stakes but has had long season and will probably find this too much.

Harrison George: Put in a number of good handicap efforts last term and has already improved on them with 3 wins this year, the first being a handicap romp off a mark of 95, a tight win in Conditions company and a listed success last time; Has been exposed though and this is a tough affair.

High Standing: Has made up into a very high class sprinter over the past year and a half and got not run until last furlong in Maurice De Gheest, so very encouraging to see him making such fast late progress into third; Never got going in Park Stakes last time and not east to fancy of the back of that.


Himalaya: Made highly encouraging debut over 6f and backed up that with 4th in Coventry Stakes which has worked out very well since (1st 3 infront of him all Group 1 winners since); Hasn’t reached that form but shown admirable consistency since, racking up a series of cracking placed efforts in top handicaps over 6f/7f this summer; Made step up into group company the last twice and can run well again.

Mabait: Typically progressive Luca Cumani handicapper who was on a winning streak until being denied in unlucky fashion in last furlong of Victoria Cup; Has made step up into group company with relatively easy fashion and can make mark again here.

Main Aim: Started last year on a real streak, winning this very race, beating Arabian Gleam, Asset and Tariq; Good effort when second in Group 1 July Cup, but amiss on next 2 starts last year; Has comeback as good as ever this year, and plenty of runs to recommend him, although he needs to run near enough a career best to win this; Fourth in weaker renewal last year.

Sir Gerry: Got within a half a length of Delegator 2 starts ago (tried to bite him close home) but not horse he once was and has too much on his plate to be seriously backed here.

Red Jazz: Made all in Free Handicap at Newmarket in April and has come a long way since then, bettering that effort every time in defeat; Unlucky to be caught on all six occasions sine but seemingly only runs relative to form of race; Career best when 3rd in QEII and will go very close if doing so again.

Golden Stream: Best from lags way behind these, even allowing for the fact she’s a useful horse.

Blue Angel: Been at top of her game of late, again not enjoying the clearest of runs when second to Rainfall in listed race at Ascot recently; Has several solid efforts but needs way more here.

VERDICT: With so many horses either stepping up (High Standing) or dropping down in trip, this is a race packed full of decent horses. Red Jazz is the one to beat based on his QEII run but the form is open to interpretation and DELEGATOR was super impressive on a recent comeback run, and should take all the beating based on improvement from that and his form last year. MABAIT is a nice idea of an each/way saver, as he can run a place at least on his best form.