Raheen House

Raheen House ran a big race in the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Grand Cup Stakes on his first run for William Haggas. He travelled well through his race for James Doyle, and he looked a likely winner when he cut through his field at the top of the home straight. He and Gold Power – who was called Primitivo when he notched up a hat-trick for Alan King in 2016 before he went to Hong Kong – came clear and, while Raheen House ultimately had to give best to his rival, he came clear of the rest of the field.

It may have been that the hold-up horses were advantaged here, as they did go fast from early, but it was still a fine run by Raheen House on his first run for his new trainer, and his first run since last October. He was a high-class performer for Brian Meehan, he won the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy and he finished second in the Group 3 St Simon Stakes. Gelded during the winter, this was a more than satisfactory start back, and it was not surprising that William Haggas mentioned the Ebor as a potential target now.

The Ebor could be a classier race this year than it usually is, with the £1 million lure, but this race has been a good pointer to the Ebor in the recent past. Last year’s runner-up in this race, Weekender, finished second in the Ebor, while the 2017 runner-up Nakeeta won the Ebor that year. Also, interestingly, runner-up in this race in 2016 when it was run in May, Quest For More, went on to win the Lonsdale Cup at the Ebor meeting that year.

Raheen House could be a major player in the Ebor now. The handicapper raised him by just 3lb for this run to a mark of 109, and that is more than fair. He was rated 114 at his peak. He is proven at York, he won his maiden there on his racecourse debut too, and it would be surprising if his trainer did not now train him with a view to having him reach his peak for the Ebor.

York, 15^th June 2019