by Graham Dench

The Winter Hill Stakes has traditionally been run on the same Saturday evening as last weekend’s Weatherbys August Stakes, but as clerk of the course Charlie Rees explains:

“It has been moved back by one week and, as part of a wider Pattern Committee initiative, is now restricted to three-year-olds only. The change is designed to create a more defined opportunity for later-maturing three-year-old middle-distance horses while reducing overlap with similar races elsewhere in the programme.”

In attracting runners with Raaheeb’s class and untapped potential it has clearly fulfilled that aim.

Few will need reminding that Owen Burrows’ Shadwell colt is a full brother to both Baaeed and Hukum, for when his highly promising debut win at Ascot a year ago was followed by an impressive reappearance in the Sandown Group 3 it looked as if he might well one day reach similar heights. He still might.

While the Derby came too soon for him, he was sent instead for the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, where he acquitted himself respectably in fourth behind Benvenuto Cellini but looked a suspect stayer at the trip. This race, back over a mile and a quarter in somewhat calmer waters, ought to suit him perfectly, and connections have had their eyes on it for some time.

Burrows confirms: “We’ve had it in mind for quite a while. There was no point in looking much before it for Raaheeb the way the weather has been, and we were pleased to see they had a fair bit of rain at Windsor last weekend. This looks like a good spot for him, so let’s just hope it doesn’t dry out too much. We just want safe ground.

“I gather the conditions have been reframed to provide a nice opportunity for later developing three-year-olds, and that’s exactly what Raaheeb is, because for him it’s all about next year. It’s helpful from my point of view that it's only for three-year-olds now, and the timing is good too, as there aren’t a lot of alternatives for him right now.”

Reflecting on the Irish Derby run, where a promising effort petered out and Raaheeb was treading water in the closing stages, he says: “Rossa (Ryan) thought the mile and a half was stretching him there, as he travelled good for an inexperienced horse and the feel he was getting turning in had him thinking he was going to get involved. Whether it was just immaturity I don’t know, but I don’t think we’ll be going a mile and a half again this year.”

He adds: “Rossa came in and rode him in a bit of work last week, and he was pleased with him. He’s in good form and showing all the right signs. Depending on how he runs at Windsor there’s the Prix Dollar at Longchamp on Arc weekend, and he’s also in the Champion Stakes. We’ll make a plan after Monday, but he definitely stays in training.”

If Raaheeb is even half as good as an older horse as Baaeed and Hukum were then there’s a lot to look forward to. However, while this looks every bit as good a spot for him as Burrows says it is, it’s not a bad spot for some of his rivals either so it’s unlikely to be a cakewalk.

Andrew Balding,  who recently enjoyed a stunning five Group 1 wins in six weeks, saddles a strong candidate in Venetian Prince, who came from off the pace to land the Derby Italiano but then found the ground too quick for him when last of five in Royal Ascot’s King Edward VII Stakes. He won’t have things easy with his 5lb Group 2 penalty, but merits a deal of respect nevertheless.

David Bowe, representing owner-breeder Jeff Smith and his Littleton Stud operation, is another who has had this race in mind for a while.

He says: “He didn’t like firm ground at Ascot and looked after himself but the ground at Windsor shouldn't present any problems. Although it was bordering on heavy in Italy he won on good, or even fastish, ground as a two-year-old so it shouldn’t be an issue. The trip will be fine for him too.

“Owen Burrows’ colt is a seriously good horse and we have to give him a couple of pounds, so it’s not an easy race for Venetian Prince, but Andrew has him in good shape and the conditions look absolutely perfect for him.

“He’s a lovely horse and nicely bred, and we are still figuring him out to an extent as things haven’t gone his way on one or two occasions. Where we go afterwards will be dictated by how he runs here, but he’s lightly raced and we haven’t got to the bottom of him. He’s got loads of options and I expect he’ll stay in training.”

John and Thady Gosden have two representatives. The Godolphin-owned Morris Dancer, who is by the stable’s star miler Palace Pier, was third in the seven-furlong Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot but disappointed over an extra furlong at Newmarket next time. He steps up another two furlongs here but should be involved if he stays.

Stable-companion Harmonics, who carries the Ace Stud silks, has a bit to find on the figures, but his latest unlucky-in-running fifth in a red-hot Goodwood handicap strongly suggested we haven’t seen the best of him yet.

Godolphin have a second representative in Maho Bay, who looked a live Derby outsider when making all at Newmarket in the spring. He came up short in the Lingfield trial but was unlucky in running when a close fifth in Royal Ascot’s Hampton Court and is another who has more to offer this autumn.

The field is completed by the Ralph Beckett-trained filly On Message, a one-time Oaks candidate who recorded a clear personal best over this trip in a Listed race at Salisbury last time, and Jack Channon’s Crest Of Fire, who steps into Group-race territory for the first time after overcoming severe traffic problems to win a decent handicap at Goodwood last time.

None can be discounted in a thoroughly competitive line-up.