Fairway Stakes 2011

2.50 Newmarket

Novae Bloodstock Insurance Fairway Stakes (Listed) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £17,031

Pick: Naqshabban (win)

Barbican: Stepped up markedly on form of his first two wins when a creditable fourth in the Sandown Classic Trial, and very game second behind Buthelezi over C&D latest; Has it harder on 3lbs worse terms though.

Buthelezi: Had his quirks but still rapidly progressive as a juvenile when winning maiden and nursery & confirmed his progress when winning competitive C&D handicaps on seasonal reappearance; Should confirm form with Buthelezi on better terms and entitled to serious respect.

Cai Shen: 2 from three as a juvenile when taking a maiden and novice stake with plenty in hand on both occasions, and same story when enterprisingly ridden to land Newbury Conditions Stakes on reappearance; No disgrace when second to Ocean War in a listed event here and one of main players on form.

Laajooj: Stepped up on debut for Godolphin when winning 1m Newbury maiden, and not disgraced when fourth in Dee Stakes next time out; Can run a solid race here although possibly vulnerable.

Nambian: Shaped as if this trip would suit when third in a 1m Nursery at Doncaster (good) and confirmed that impression when fourth despite not getting a run in sales race on return; Form since then solid, although needs to prove he wasn’t flattered by his second place last time out.

 Naqshabban: Impressed when beating a useful field on his Leicester debut back in the autumn (only run as a two year old) and stepped up markedly on that when beating subsequent Musidora winner Joviality at Sandown on reappearance, mastering his rival in last strides; Should only be able to go on from that reappearance in number of ways and the one to beat here.

VERDICT: A tight race but a strong fancy in NAQSHABBAN, who’s Sandown form has been boosted majorly since & will improve physically for his opening run, and also for the step up in trip.