The son of Invincible Spirit, winner of a conditions race on his last start, was settled at the rear of the field by Tadgh O’Shea before making his move half-way up the straight.

All bar Bonfire were off the bridle and the pair fought out the final furlong with Ektihaam going down by just three-quarters of a length.

Roger said: “We're competitors and you're always a bit annoyed when you don't win, but I'm thrilled with how he ran.

“He travelled into the race really well and I'm delighted that he's shown he's up to this level.

“He's a horse with the physique to improve through the year.

“I'll speak to Sheikh Hamdan before we make any definite plans but it's nice to be going home knowing we've got a really good one on our hands.

“He's in the French Derby and the other race to consider would be the Group 3 over 10 furlongs at Ascot.

“He's not in at Epsom and I think 10 furlongs is as far as he wants at this stage. Just 25 yards from the line the winner was finishing better than we were."

Also at York, Mijhaar made a pleasing reappearance when third in the Listed Hambleton Stakes."