Nayef will face only five rivals, including a stable-companion, when he attempts to follow in the hoofprints of his half-brother Nashwan by winning the Tom McGee Autumn Stakes at Ascot tomorrow.
Nashwan took this Listed contest in 1988 before going on to capture the 2000 Guineas, Derby and King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes the following year.
Nayef is 14-1 with Ladbrokes for the Sagitta 2000 Guineas following a highly-pleasing debut at Newbury.
The son of Gulch, owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, defeated the more-experienced Tamburlaine by a neck over a mile three weeks ago.
And the runner-up boosted the form when winning a 15-runner Newmarket maiden by six lengths in his only run since.
'It was nice to see that and our horse has come on a bit since Newbury,' said Nayef`s trainer Marcus Tregoning.
'We`re very happy with him. We don`t know how he`ll go on the soft ground but I think he`s one of those horses that can act on any going.'
Tregoning hasalso declared Istihsaan, also owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, to guarantee an even pace for the #20,000 prize over the round mile.
'With small fields on soft ground there tends to be no pace early on and then a sprint. If nobody wants to go on and there`s no gallop then he`ll make sure there is an even pace, but Istihsaan is there to do his best.'
Nayef is likely to face a stern test as the opposition includes Royal Lodge Stakes third Hill Country, a half-brother to 1992 Vodafone Derby winner Dr Devious, and the unbeaten Lunar Crystal, son of 1978 Derby hero Shirley Heights.
Tregoning reported that the progressive three-year-old colt Ekraar would not be supplemented for the Dubai Champion Stakes at Newmarket tomorrow week.
'He won`t run again this season. Hopefully he`ll stay in training next year,' the trainer said.
Ekraar has won his last three races in tremendous style culminating in the Group Three flutter.com Select Stakes by five lengths from National Anthem at Goodwood last month.
