Raaheeb ready but on weather watch ahead of Irish Derby

Angus Gold, racing manger to Shadwell, has reported Raaheeb to be in good shape ahead of Sunday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, but is worried about the heatwave currently hitting Great Britain and Ireland. 

Unbeaten in two starts either side of the winter break, the Owen Burrows-trained colt is on track to line up in Sunday’s Group One as long as the ground isn’t too fast. 

Gold told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast: “He did a nice piece of work last week and Owen [Burrows, trainer] thinks he's ready to go and run his race. We just need to keep an eye on the weather forecast - they had lovely rain at the end of last week, but I think they're due the same sort of heat wave we're due over here. 

“I'm sure they'll do a great job of watering, they always do, but it just wouldn't want to be too quick for him. 

Unbeaten in two starts, the Sea The Stars colt was never likely to make it to the Derby after returning sore from his bet365 Classic Trial win at Sandown, but connections have been pleased with his condition at home in recent weeks. 

Gold explained: “There was never a chance he was going to get there [Epsom]. He came out of Sandown a bit sore and he had to have just 10 days of just walking and then just start back with him gently. 

“The ground would probably have suited him, but he was never going to get to the race. But he's been good since he's been back in work and worked very nicely. I took him away one day to the other side of Lambourn and he worked well there and Ross O'Brien was very happy.”