Roger Varian taking heart after fruitful St Leger meeting

Despite Rahiebb’s agonising reversal in the St Leger, Roger Varian is taking the positives out of a stellar week at Doncaster which leaves plenty of excitement for the future.

Backed into 14-1 on the day, Rahiebb justified his trainer’s unwavering belief to give Scandinavia a real fright at the conclusion of the the season’s final Classic, getting within a neck of providing Varian with a third triumph in the Town Moor showpiece.

Success in the feature would have been the perfect way to cap a successful four days for the Carlburg Stables handler, who lifted the Flying Scotsman Stakes with Godolphin-owned youngster Avicenna as well saddling Fillies’ Mile entrant Classic Cuvee and Dewhurst possible Wechaad to win stylishly in South Yorkshire, with handicapper Munsif giving him a fourth success.

“We would have to look back at last week as a good week and the horses were in good form, consistently running well,” said Varian.

“We had four winners at the St Leger meeting and almost brought home the Leger itself. It’s always a bittersweet moment when you go so close to winning a Classic, but there are plenty of positives to take away from the week and particularly Rahiebb’s run.

“He’s a horse we always rated and kept the faith with him. We thought he would outrun his odds in the Leger and he certainly did that and the handicapper has given him a fresh mark of 115.”

Rahieeb’s only remaining entry this year is in ParisLongchamp’s Group Two Qatar Prix Chaudenay on Arc weekend and while it is still to be determined if the Classic second runs again this term, attentions are already turning to what the son of Frankel could achieve next season as a four-year-old.

“I don’t know if he’ll if he run again this year, but he looks an exciting, staying type of horse to have in the camp for next year,” continued Varian.

“We’ll see how he is and what else there is for him and no decision has been made yet if he runs again. But we reflect on the St Leger run positively and although there’s a slight disappointment not to win, you have to take a career best as a huge step and a sign of what hopefully might still be to come.”