held up in rear, good headway over 1f out, led 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on, driven out
towards rear, wide striaght 2f out, no impression over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
raced keenly, lead after 3f, ridden and headed 1f out, soon out pace, kept on well for 2nd
in touch on inner, ridden 2f out, not quicken 1f out, one pace final furlong
reared start, soon with leader, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 75 yards and lost 3rd near finish
prominent on outer, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken, soon one pace
towards rear, good headway on inner over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, kept on to take 3rd near finish
led narrowly to over 3f out, tracked leader afterwards, chance over 1f out, weakened quickly inisde final furlong
Ektimaal can get the better of Fajr and Troubadour. Ed Dunlop's gelding has won four of his six starts on the all-weather and came within an ace of making a winning debut on this track last month. He's entitled to come on for that run, his first since September, and is capable of winning from his current mark. He has done his winning over 7 but should have no problem getting this trip on the evidence of his latest display. Fajr is nothing if not consistent and six of his seven career wins have been achieved here. It will require another career best to win off this mark but that's a live possibility. He was behind Orchard Supreme last time but had readily accounted for that rival on his penultimate start; both need a truly run race to be seen at their best. Troubadour failed to benefit from a change of tactics last time and could bounce back if ridden with more restraint whilst Re Barolo, a prolific winner in Italy, must be respected if the market gives out the right vibes. Ektimaal has plenty to recommend him though and gets our vote.
Fajr (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) Held up in rear, in touch, ran wide into straight 2f out, soon ridden, went 3rd inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Atlantic Story (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcap (2) pol in Dec.
Re Barolo (IRE) (9-1) 5th of 6, 4l behind Blu Ontario (8-8) at San Siro 7f stk sft in Oct.
Orchard Supreme 7-2 (9-5) Held up in rear, in touch, effort on inside and soon every chance entering final furlong, ridden and not quicken near finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Atlantic Story (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcap (2) pol in Dec.
Troubadour (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 4, 3 1/2l behind Capricorn Run (9-0) at Lingfield 1m stk (3) pol.
Samarinda (USA) 13-2 (9-4) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong, last of 12, 18l behind Troubadour (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Bahiano (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) In touch, hampered on rail 5f out, soon lost place and behind, headway 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bonus (9-2) at Kempton 7f lst stk (1) pol in Dec.
Ektimaal 4-1 (8-4) Settled rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish and closed on winner close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Vortex (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Markab 33-1 (8-7) Always behind, outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Vortex (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
