tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, comfortably
switched right from wide and held up in rear, effort 2f out, soon one pace and beaten
mid-division, ridden over 2f out and soon beaten
held up in rear, never a factor
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
soon chasing leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, stayed on, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, headway on inside 2f out, driven over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch on outside, headway and hung right over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway towards inside over 1f out, nearest finish
led, ridden and kept on from 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression on winner and lost 2nd near finish
In-form Ektmaal looks booked for further success, with Ceremonial Jade, Cross The Line and Marajaa just a few lively rivals. Connections of Ektimaal had the misfortune to see their charge denied a crack at the Lincoln, and rather than go for the consolation of the Spring Mile, they have decided to run here in a race that does not appear to be as much of a lottery. Out of luck on Turf last year, he has been in terrific form on the all-weather since having a breathing operation, and although he is creeping up the weights as a result, looks to have a lot more to offer. He is taken to get the better of fellow course-and-distance winner Ceremonial Jade who lost his unbeaten Polytrack record when runner-up to Party Boss on his return at Lingfield last month. He will be fitter for the run though and if getting across from his low draw, can give the selection most to do. Cross The Line definitely has the ability to take a hand but is hard to catch right, while Marajaa has yet to show us what he is capable of. The market may throw up a springer of course, but we are happy to rely on Ektimaal.
Waterside (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Soon chasing leader, led briefly 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Orchard Supreme (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 2-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, soon pulled hard, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Party Boss (9-12) at Lingfield 1m stk (2) pol in Feb.
Moonlight Man 18-1 (9-0) Raced far side, tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 9l behind King's Caprice (8-5) at Newmarket 7f hcap (2) gf in Apr.
Zato (IRE) (8-8) Held up, raced wide, one pace final 2f, 6th of 13, 6l behind Diamond Quest (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba 1m hcp gd in Feb.
Wessex (USA) 25-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 13l behind Orchard Supreme (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
High Curragh 5-1jt-fav (8-9) Led, headed over 4f out, bumped approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Burning Incense (8-6) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Ektimaal 5-4fav (8-12) Always prominent, led well over 1f out, ran on well, readily, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Resplendent Nova (8-13) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Cross The Line (IRE) 7-1 (8-6) Held up, smooth headway over 1f out, kept on well, 6th of 13, 3l behind Red Cape (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Marajaa (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway entering straight, running on when bumped and carried right close home, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Orchard Supreme (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Presumptive (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Visionist (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcap (2) pol in Apr.
Gallantry 13-2 (8-3) Mid-division, headway from 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Red Cape (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Lethal 3-1 (9-1) Made all, ridden over 2f out, hard pressed entering final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Resplendent Nova (9-1) by a nk, 9 ran.
Race to the Music (USA) 4-7fav (9-4) Close up, ridden and led over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo stk (5) gf in Jul '05 beating Cape of Luck (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
