THE handicapper must be a relieved man to pack Fahim off into Listed company in this afternoon's Roa Foundation Stakes at Goodwood.

Alec Stewart's colt won a Beverley maiden by three lengths from Shehab and has since gone on to complete a hat-trick.

At the July meeting at Newmarket, Fahim was sent to the front by Willie Carson over a furlong from the finish and came home an easy three lengths clear of Winston.

As a result of that win he was raised II lb in the handicap, but it was not enough to stop him.

At York's Ebor meeting punters decided to play once again, even though Fahim had taken another 8lb hike up the weights. Those who had forced him down to 7 to 4 must have been wearing the odd smug grin as Carson sent the bay to the front passing the two-furlong pole.

At that point he looked assured of victory, only for Mark Rimmer to conjure a late run from Amrak Ajeeb and land the prize by half a length at 20 to l.

Getting beaten in a handicap might not be thought the ideal preparation for a step into Listed grade but there is no doubt that Fahim is ready for this level of competition.