Rahiebb

What makes Rahiebb genuinely interesting is the contrast between his obvious ability and his consistent lack of polish. At Royal Ascot's Queen's Vase earlier this year, Varian believed he was the best horse in the race, yet Rahiebb's immaturity cost him—he was slow from the gates, misbehaved before the race, and still came within a length of winning. In a subsequent race at Doncaster that looked like the St Leger—one of Britain's most prestigious races for staying horses—he was right there with two furlongs to run but couldn't quite get past the winner, Scandinavia. These are not the runs of a plodder. They are the runs of a horse with real class who is simply not yet race-hardened or mentally sharp enough to convert his natural ability into victories at the very top level.

The puzzle is his record in the highest-class races. He is winless from three attempts at Class 1 level, which on the surface looks poor. Yet Varian's comments suggest these defeats, especially the St Leger attempt, were respectable and close. At middle distances and longer, where he has won one from three races, Rahiebb has the profile of a horse with a future in that staying division. He won at Newcastle early in his career and again at York in May. If he can tighten up his behaviour and tactical awareness, Varian sounds convinced there is considerably more to come.