HOUSE ON FIRE!

Raheen in top trim for St Leger bid

BRIAN MEEHAN, successful worldwide, believes Raheen House can give him his first Classic winner in the William Hill St Leger at Doncaster.

“He’s all set and ready to go in two weeks time,” said Meehan. “I decided it was best to miss the Great Voltiguer at York as I did not want to drop him back in distance.

“He’s in really good shape. I think he’s got a real good chance, a fantastic chance.

“He’s a very progressive individual, a big strong horse who’s improving. I think with the bit of time he had between his last run when he won at Newmarket and Doncaster will really suit him.”

Nail

Meehan, who trains at the historic Manton stables in Wiltshire, has achieved his most notable success aboard.

Dubai Duty Free victory came in Meydan along with the Breeders’ Cup Turf in the States.

Group One success has also been achieved for the son a Limerick orthopaedic surgeon in England – the Champion Stakes and the Eclipse – but he clearly wants to nail that first Classic winner.

“There’s a lot in his favour coming to the race fresh, unlike the other horses who have had a busy season,” said Meehan.

“I should imagine Jamie Spencer, who has ridden him in his last three races, will keep the ride. It doesn’t make sense to change that combination.” Regarding the opposition, Meehan, who started training in 1992, added. “The favourite, Capri, looks really good. It’s a tight race, very open.” Raheen House is 12-1 with Paddy Power The best-backed horse in the season’s final Classic is Crystal Ocean, who went 6-1 after his last win in the Gordon Stakes Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Crystal Ocean underlined his Leger credentials in no uncertain terms at Goodwood.

“We cut him into clear 7-2 favourite (from 4 joint-fav) on Wednesday after news broke of a sparkling workout over a mile on the all-weather surface at Newmarket the previous day.”

John Gosden, hoping to win the Leger for the fifth time with Stradivarius, a 5-1 chance with Paddy Power, gave the thumbs up for his colt.

“All is good with him,” said Gosden about the highly-impressive Goodwood Cup winner. “He goes there fit and well.”