Irish Derby fourth Raaheeb set for first run since June - but ground at Windsor could yet deny long-awaited return

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After scoring on his debut last year, the son of Sea The Stars, and brother to former Shadwell stars Baaeed and Hukum, maintained his perfect record when running away with Sandown's Group 3 Classic Trial on his reappearance.

The Owen Burrows-trained Raaheeb was cut to 8-1 for the Derby, but instead contested the Irish Derby, in which he finished fourth, eight lengths behind Benvenuto Cellini, who led home an Aidan O'Brien 1-2-3. 

"I'm looking forward to it, but I know Owen is worried about the ground being too quick," said Shadwell's racing manager Angus Gold. "We badly want to run, as this has always been the plan, but we'll make a decision after walking the course."

Windsor: Raaheeb's connections will walk the course before the Winter HillCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Connections have been patient with Raaheeb, who has taken time to get over his two runs this season, and they are concerned by the potential going at Windsor, where it was described as good, good to firm in places on Sunday.

Reflecting on his season, Gold said: "He was a bit stiff and sorry for himself after the Irish Derby so we gave him a break. He'll benefit physically from being given time – we were never going to give him a hard time this year.

"Rossa [Ryan] felt he didn't stay at the Curragh, which slightly surprised us. He just felt at this stage of his development, possibly because he's so immature, that a mile and a quarter is far enough for him, so Owen picked out this race."

Raaheeb is entered in the Qatar Champion Stakes, and Gold added: "He's needed a bit of time after races, so there's no point me saying Ascot is a definite. We'd have to see how he comes out of Windsor, but it's all about next year from my point of view."

Godolphin are responsible for the next two in the early Winter Hill Stakes market, with the John and Thady Gosden-trained Morris Dancer and Maho Bay, representing Charlie Appleby, bidding for their first Group victories.

Morris Dancer: an impressive winner of last year's Stonehenge StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Morris Dancer, an easy winner of last season's Stonehenge Stakes, was third on his reappearance in the Jersey Stakes before finishing down the field at Newmarket's July festival when last seen. 

Maho Bay also lined up at Royal Ascot, finishing fifth in the Hampton Court. Before then, the son of Dubawi recorded decisive wins at Kempton and Newmarket before finishing fourth in Lingfield's Derby Trial.

"He's done well for a break and conditions should be fine as he coped with quick ground at Royal Ascot," said Appleby. "He has a bit to find with a couple on ratings, but I think he can be a big player."

The Group 3 Winter Hill previously had top billing on a Saturday evening card that also featured the Listed August Stakes. However, it was decided to push the Winter Hill back by nine days and amend the race to three-year-olds only, with the August – won last month by Tenability – remaining in situ and adjusted to four-year-olds and upwards.

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