Raammee pitched for Dav Reid finale as Varian finalises York squad
Roger Varian has named Raammee as the principal contender in his York team for next week’s Ebor meeting, with the four-year-old expected to contest the Sky Bet Dav Reid Finale Handicap on the Saturday.
Raammee, a lightly-raced four-year-old who recently took the John Smith’s Cup, arrives at York on the back of that notable victory and a brief but progressive campaign. Now rated 103, he is likely to carry a high weight in the competitive Dav Reid Finale as Varian targets the feature end-of-week handicap.
Trainer’s assessment and longer-term plans
Varian has spoken positively about the colt’s development. After an undistinguished reappearance at Sandown in May, Raammee has produced stronger displays, culminating in the John Smith’s success. With only five career starts to date, Varian suggested the horse remains relatively unexposed and could be trained with a view to staying sound and competitive over a number of seasons.
Although Raammee’s current mark allows him to remain in handicaps for the immediate future, Varian indicated there is potential to campaign him across a longer-term plan rather than pressing for a quick elevation out of handicap company.
Summerson aimed at Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes
Also in Varian’s York contingent is Summerson, a filly who has impressed in recent starts and is being aimed at the Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes on Thursday. The filly progressed from maiden success into a wide-margin victory over 13 lengths at Ffos Las last time, form that has prompted a move into pattern race company for the Ebor week.
Summerson is an Andrew Black home-bred and has shown marked improvement across just three starts. Varian noted her physical progress and maturity, saying her rapid development has altered expectations since earlier in the season. Now rated in the mid-90s after only her third run, she has earned the chance to step up to listed or pattern level.
Additional entries and potential assignments
Varian’s York squad also includes Mobberley Rose, who is entered in a 10-furlong handicap on the Friday. The filly will be stepping up in trip and dropping back into handicap company after a recent outing in Listed company.
The stable is also considering whether to run Al Azd in a mile-and-a-half handicap open to three-year-olds and older horses. Al Azd is currently on a mark of 109, but Varian suggested a final decision on his participation had not yet been taken.
York meeting context
The Ebor meeting is one of the highlights of the summer flat season, featuring a range of handicaps and pattern races that attract deep and competitive fields. Varian’s delegation to York reflects a mixture of emerging talent and established handicappers, with Raammee expected to shoulder significant responsibility on the biggest day.
What to watch
- Raammee’s ability to handle a high weight in the Dav Reid Finale and how he copes with York’s track in a later-season handicap.
- Summerson’s transition from progressive maiden and heavy-margin handicap winner to pattern race competitor in the Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes.
- Mobberley Rose’s step up in trip and return to handicap company following a Listed outing.
- Whether Al Azd is declared for the extended-mile-and-a-half handicap and how his mark of 109 is judged relative to that contest.
Varian brings a compact but intriguing team to York, blending young improvers with horses who may still have scope to develop. All eyes will be on Raammee as he bids to build on his John Smith’s Cup success at one of Britain’s premier summer meetings.
