Exciting Ektihaam Dewhurst-bound

Roger Varian’s unbeaten colt Ektihaam has been given the green light for a crack at the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on October 8.

The son of Invincible Spirit won a useful maiden at Newbury on debut, and then landed the conditions race at Doncaster which was used by Frankel as a stepping stone to glory last season.

While Varian has been keen to play down the hype, the giant two-year-old will skip the Royal Lodge this weekend and instead take in the Group One on Future Champions Day.

“He’s not going to run in the Royal Lodge we’ve decided to run him in the Dewhurst, all being well,” said Angus Gold, racing manager to the owner, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.

“He’s a great big horse. We’ll have a go at the Dewhurst and see where we are with him, you never know until you run them.

“On his homework he’s pretty smart so we’ll see if we are on the right path.”

Among the confirmations for both the Dewhurst and the Middle Park was Frederick Engels. However, he has been sold to continue his career in Hong Kong and was left in by mistake before being officially scratched.

Richard Hannon has left in Harbour Watch and Bronterre, both unbeaten, but Harbour Watch still has the option of the Middle Park over a furlong shorter.

Aidan O’Brien has plenty of Dewhurst options, with Power looking his main hope at this stage.

Red Duke, Most Improved and Nawwaar are other interesting contenders.