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John Smith’s Cup report: Raammee strikes for Varian and Dawson

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Sat 11 Jul 2026

Watch: Raammee wanders around but lands the John Smith’s Cup

Raammee gave Roger Varian a third John Smith’s Cup with an impressive display in the York feature.

The lightly-raced four-year-old has only run four times, winning twice on the all-weather last term before finishing fourth then second in two handicap outings at Sandown this year and was sent off at 5-1 to land a telling strike on the Knavesmire.

Having travelled powerfully both into contention and then into the lead for big-race pilot Ray Dawson, Raammee faced a strong challenge from the running-on Hand Of God late into the piece, but had enough in reserve to hold on by three-quarters of a length.

It was a second time in the last three years the valuable handicap has gone Varian’s way, with Raammee joining Farraaj (2014) and Enfjaar (2024) on the race’s decorated roll of honour.

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