A horse purchased for over €3million finished second on his debut at Leicester on Tuesday.
Akhu Najla, who was bought for 2.7million guineas, was sent off the 2/1 favourite for the opening race on the card and was beaten a neck by Ikhtiraaq.
But the way in which he ran suggests connections won't have to wait too long until he gets his head in front, while the same could be said about the third-placed horse Knight Of Honour.
The €12,000 contest saw Akhu Najla, who was ridden by David Egan for trainer Roger Varian, pick up €3,000 for finishing second, but he has a long way to go to repay his price tag.
The Kingman half-brother to Classic star Galileo Gold was purchased for 2.7million guineas at the Tattersalls Book 1 October Yearling Sale last year.
Owned by KHK racing, he is the seventh foal out of the twice-raced Galileo mare Galicuix, who is a half-sister to King's Stand Stakes and Prix de l'Abbaye winner Goldream.
The colt's half-brother, Galileo Gold, also won the St James's Palace and Vintage Stakes for trainer Hugo Palmer and owner Al Shaqab. He was also placed in the Irish Guineas and Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Ikhtiraaq was ridden to victory by Jim Crowley for trainer Owen Burrows.
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