Ejbaar: a wide-margin winner of the maiden at Pontefract on Sunday.
Following a string of creditable efforts in maiden company, Ejbaar got off the mark at the fifth time of asking at Pontefract on Sunday, putting aside a disappointing run on quick ground at Newmarket to spreadeagle his four rivals and stir excitement of what might be to come.
The form probably doesn’t amount to much but the performance was hugely impressive. Bounced out to lead by Graham Gibbons, Ejbaar travelled powerfully down the side of the course, appreciating the steady rain that had fallen throughout the afternoon to turn the ground no better than good.
As the Charlie Appleby-trained newcomer Ad Dabaran, who was sent off favourite as a blue-blooded son of Dubawi, began to toil on the home turn, Ejbaar quickly established an unassailable lead. He was briefly shaken up by his jockey inside the two-furlong marker, but the opposition had nothing else to offer and he was soon heavily eased down to score by ten lengths.
Congratulations to Sheikh Hamdan and all of the team. This was an important winner for Shadwell, Ejbaar being the first foal out of the Albany Stakes winner Habaayib, who Ed trained throughout her career.
Hopefully the handicapper will not overreact to this performance given the way the race fell apart and Ejbaar remains an exciting prospect returned to the handicap ranks.