The Melbourne Cup remains in play for Middle Earth and his new part owner, Ciaron Maher, after making a successful 2024 bow in the Group III Aston Park Stakes at Newbury.
After hacking up by six lengths at her only start at two, Ejaabiyah, a daughter of Frankel and the Golden Slipper winner Estijaab, fell two and a quarter lengths short of catching Godolphin's exciting Shamardal filly Diamond Rain in the Listed Haras De Bouquetot Fillies' Trial Stakes (10f) at Newbury on Saturday.