Maho Bay makes all in Winter Hill as Raaheeb disappoints

Hot favourite Raaheeb could finish only fifth as Maho Bay led from start to finish in the Weatherbys Global Stallions App Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor.

Making his first appearance since finishing fourth in the Irish Derby at the end of June, the Owen Burrows-trained Raaheeb – a full-brother to the top-class pair of Baaeed and Hukum – was an even-money shot to make a winning return over a mile and a quarter at Group Three level.

Charlie Appleby’s Maho Bay had been off the track since finishing a never-nearer fifth after encountering trouble in running the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot but there were no such traffic problems this time around, with William Buick happy to make his own pace from the outset.

Venetian Prince and Harmonics both came at him entering the final furlong, but Maho Bay found plenty against the rail to win going away by two and a half lengths, with Raaheeb never really threatening to land a telling blow.

Of the winner, Buick told Sky Sports Racing: “He’s going to be a lovely horse for next year, I thought he did well there and I liked what he did.

“That’s probably what we should have done at Ascot (made the running), but I wasn’t able to. He corrected that today and showed plenty of promise.

“Charlie was happy to lead today. If something was going quicker than us then that would have been good as well. He got a lovely breather round the bend and built into the race.

“It was a nice performance and after that today I’d say he’s opened plenty of options for himself.”