Trade Commissioner can step up to Listed class in Pomfret Stakes

Trade Commissioner looked like a horse to follow when he the valuable Coral Challenge at Sandown last season but he has failed to add to that victory in four subsequent starts. His best effort was a fair fourth to Mull Of Killough in the Group 3 Darley Stakes in October.

He was the subject of an ante-post gamble in the highly competitive Royal Hunt Cup first time out. He raced in a small group on the far side and eventually finished seventh overall behind Belgian Bill.

Arsaadi finished ahead of Trade Commissioner that day and has to be respected after coming up against yesterday’s big handicap winner Galician last time. John Gosden’s gelding is a couple of pound better off at the weights here and it should be close between the pair.

Aesop’s Fables has the best form in the book having won the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat last season. He did not reproduce that form in Dubai this spring and was understandably a little rusty on his return at Goodwood.

After holding a good position behind the leaders, he weakened in the closing stages behind the smart Aljamaaheer. Kieren Fallon has the leg up today and it would be no surprise to see him step up on that effort.

Another rival to be feared is the enigmatic Gabrial. He won the Doncaster Mile on his first start since being gelded but showed that he still has a tendency to hang in the closing stages. This was even more evident on his next start at Chester and Robert Winston will have to be at his best to steer this one home.

Fire Ship was never quite able to land a blow in the race won by Roserrow at Sandown but several winners have already emerged from that race. He has since finished third in a Listed race at Nantes and has winning form over course and distance.

Mont Ras and Storm King have been winning in handicap company and step up in class here whilst Ebn Arab needs to improve considerably on his Ascot run to win this.

Selection: Trade Commissioner
Danger: Aesop’s Fables