Ektihaam lands the odds

Richard Hills and Ektihaam: Ran out easy winners

Ektihaam was an impressive winner of the Frank Whittle Partnership Conditions Stakes at Doncaster on Friday.

Frankel won the contest last year at odds of 1-2 and Roger Varian's colt was sent off at a similarly prohibitive price of 8-15.

Richard Hills settled the favourite in third behind the pace-setting Hot Sugar and Abshir Zain before pulling his mount towards the far side to make his challenge.

Meanwhile, Frankie Dettori made his challenge aboard Mizwaaj (11-4) on the stands' rail and the two looked set to battle it out inside the final furlong.

However, Ektihaam pulled out more in the closing stages and was four lengths clear of the Godolphin challenger at the line.

Ektihaam is 16-1 with Sky Bet to emulate last year's winner Frankel by going on to take Classic glory next year in the 2000 Guineas.

Raw

Varian said: "He'll get a mile, time will tell if he'll go any further, but he's won nicely over seven twice and we may stick to that this year, I'm not sure, but a mile will be his trip next year.

"He could have one more run this term, he's still raw and unfurnished and if he didn't run again it wouldn't be the end of the world.

"Richard was pleased with him. He's had a bit of a gap from Newbury to here and he said it was like he was having his first race again. He needed a bit of company and when he left the Godolphin horse he needed a rail.

"It was a bit of greenness as it was the first time he's been kicked in the belly and kicked away from a horse properly. Hopefully he'll learn a bit from today.

"He's a big horse and I think he'll probably tuck up a bit from this race so we'll give him time to recondition and see where we go. He's well entered and we have options if we do want to run him again."