Raaheeb, with his impeccable breeding, bolstered his Derby prospects with a striking performance in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown. As the full-brother to the exceptional Baaeed and the top-tier Hukum, Raaheeb had significant expectations to meet, given his siblings' outstanding achievements under trainers William Haggas and Owen Burrows.
Following a successful debut at Ascot in September, Raaheeb demonstrated his ability to adapt to both increased distance and class in his three-year-old premiere in this 10-furlong Group Three event. In contrast to Aidan O'Brien's favourite, Action, which showed reluctance under pressure, Raaheeb travelled smoothly and responded strongly to Rossa Ryan's urgings, ultimately leading the pack by three and a quarter lengths. Owen Burrows expressed his pleasant surprise at the outcome, noting, "Honestly, I was prepared to be pleased with a finish in the frame, so this win is a bit of a surprise." Burrows was particularly impressed by Raaheeb's resilience and strong finish, attributes that suggest he will stay the distance.
Although Raaheeb is entered in the Dante, his next run will be determined after assessing his recovery from this event. Bookmakers have shortened Raaheeb's odds for the Derby to 8-1 from 20s, but Burrows prefers to wait before making any definitive decisions, considering other races like the Irish Derby and emphasizing the importance of making the right choices for this promising colt.