Nashwan`s half-brother Nayef was the first beneficiary of Ascot`s victory in its battle against the elements today.
A morning downpour put the track`s final Flat meeting of 2000 in doubt and racing was only given the go-ahead after the stewards declared the course raceable at a 12.30pm inspection.
Marcus Tregoning feared conditions would be too testing for highly-rated Nayef, who had scored impressively on a firmish surface at Newbury three week previously.
But the trainer`s decision to run in the Tom McGee Autumn Stakes paid off as his colt made light of going officially described as heavy to take the Listed race by an impressive six lengths from Hill Country.
'Credit must go to Richard Perham who rides him in all his work,' Tregoning said afterwards. 'He told me to fear nothing about the ground - and he has just rung me up to say `I told you so!`
Nashwan went on from success in this race in 1988 to land the 2000 Guineas and Derby the following season and Nayef is rated a 7-1 chance for the former event by William Hill, who make him 10-1 favourite for the latter.
'He is a very exciting prospect and a lovely horse to have anything to do with,' Tregoning added.
'He`ll go into the winter unbeaten - I very much doubt he`ll run again - and he is the sort of horse who keeps you going through the winter months.' - PA
