HALLING may meet his match in the best Dubai Champion Stakes for 11 years at Newmarket today. His long winning run looks set to end in a contest as good as that which drew record crowds to the course in 1985 when Pebbles took on Derby winner Slip Anchor and Commanche Run, ridden by the retiring Lester Piggott.
The top class five year old's eight straight wins on turf include two successes each in the Coral Eclipse Stakes and the Juddmonte International.
But his front running style will set the race up perfectly for Timarida and Bosra Sham undoubtedly the two best fillies in Europe.
Irish raider Timarida has already won in five countries and gained Group One victories in Germany, the USA and Ireland on her last three starts.
But trainer John Oxx admitted. "I think it will be the toughest race of her career with Halling and Bosra Sham in the field."
It could be the last named who comes out on top in a fascinating race. She ran a blinder to chase home Mark of Esteem in the Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes at Ascot last month, leading early in the straight, on her first outing since victory in the Pertemps 1,000 Guineas in May.
Though reportedly suffering a setback in recent days, such a problem did not seem to stop her in the first fillies' Classic.
She will be suited by the likely strong pace today and by the likelihood that Pat Eddery will be able to delay his challenge until well inside the final furlong.
Bosra Sham also gives the strong impression she will be well suited by this step up to a mile and a quarter and she can inch Henry Cecil closer to another trainers' championship with a win.
Cecil could be one to oppose in the Tote Cesarewitch, in which his Canon Can is a very short price after a possibly flattering victory in a four runner conditions event at Pontefract last time.
Better value by far is battle hardened Ballynakelly who has proven himself in the hurly burly of handicaps time and again and comes here on a nine timer.
A tendency to idle in front has kept him ahead of the handicapper but also led to his only dead heating with Kutta in the Autumn Cup at Newbury last time when he was left in the lead fully four furlongs out.
Seb Sanders will be able to delay his challenge a lot longer in today's big field and the two and a quarter mile trip should bring out the best in his mount who looks still to be favourably treated at the weights.
The form of Midnight Escape's two early season wins have worked out so well that it is worth giving him another chance in the Olivier Douieb Memorial Rated Stakes.
