Expert Analysis

This Classic Trial is a race with a mixed recent record in terms of what it has produced. Last year’s renewal was an average affair, with the winner Swagman getting beaten twice in France subsequently. However, in 2022, Westover won this race before going on to finish third in the Derby at Epsom and winning the Irish equivalent. He managed to build on those efforts the following season by winning another Group 1 in France and finishing second in the King George and the Arc later that season.

This year’s contest looked like a race with plenty of potential beforehand and I think it is fair to say the impressive winner RAAHEEB appears to have ability more in line with (and possibly surpassing) Westover than Swagman. 

RAAHEEB produced a polished performance here on just his second start to brush aside a decent field rather easily. He settled in third once the field sorted themselves out and travelled nicely through the race before taking it up with a couple of furlongs left to run. If it briefly appeared as though the pack were closing, it was just momentary and he pulled away nicely inside the final furlong to stretch over three lengths clear. As a full brother to Hukum and Baaeed, the expectation was that he would be good. He certainly is that and has the prospect of being very good, as he remains open to huge improvement. He should stay a mile and a half based on this effort as he wasn’t stopping up the Sandown hill.

AL ZANATI was a little keen early on and was dropped out to get him settled after a couple of furlongs. He made steady progress from halfway and briefly looked like a threat to the winner before flattening out inside the final furlong. It was an improvement on his previous form but perhaps a marginal one rather than a significant step forward. I don’t see any reason to step him up in trip on this evidence.

WISE PRINCE arrived here off the back of just one run, like Raaheeb. He didn’t improve quite as much from that initial outing though. The Gosdens colt was a little keen too and his finishing effort may have suffered as a result of that, as he weakened in the closing stages.

ACTION was the biggest disappointment of the race, having been very well backed. He did plenty wrong, starting from when he was slowly away from the stalls and had to be pushed along to attach himself to the back of the field. He never threatened thereafter, passing beaten horses in the closing stages, but looking rather awkward. I think softer ground may help him, but he appeared to lack gears and perhaps his best hope of Group 1 success could come in the Leger later in the year.

SPYCEran respectably without doing anything significant in the race. He is likely to find calmer waters on his next start.

WINDING STREAM set the pace and went clear in the middle of the race. He did well in the circumstances to lead them to the penultimate furlong and might have blown what could have been a nice handicap mark.

OCEANS FOUR was the first beaten and faded badly in the closing stages to be a long way adrift at the line.