Raheen House holds firm to win
All roads lead to the William Hill St Leger for Raheen House following his determined triumph in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket.
Brian Meehan's charge had performed admirably in defeat on each of his three previous outings this season, including a fourth-placed finish in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He was a 7-2 chance for this Group Three assignment and showed a willing attitude in the hands of Jamie Spencer to run down the front-running Sofia's Rock and score by a length.
Desert Skyline finished strongly to beat Sofia's Rock to the runner-up spot.
Paddy Power cut Raheen House to 10-1 from 20-1 for the Leger at Doncaster on September 16.
Meehan said: "He wanted that extra furlong. He has always been progressive and really deserved this especially after his last run at Ascot. I was really pleased with that, it was top drawer.
"He looked around him a little bit and Jamie said when he hit the front he was just pricking his ears.
"He possibly hit the front a bit soon and could have won it a little bit easier. I think he's a proper horse.
"All the horses were wrong when he won at Goodwood. We thought we would give him a break after Ascot and come back for this. I am pleased for the boys back home as it is a big week with a lot of racing.
"I would be quite happy to leave him for the St Leger. I imagine we will go straight there as that will suit the horse. That's the sensible place to go."
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