Raammee lifts John Smith’s Cup for Varian and Dawson

The lightly-raced four-year-old has only run four times, winning twice on the all-weather last term before finishing fourth then second in two handicap outings at Sandown this year and was sent off at 5-1 to land a telling strike on the Knavesmire.

Having travelled powerfully both into contention and then into the lead for big-race pilot Ray Dawson, Raammee faced a strong challenge from the running-on Hand Of God late into the piece, but had enough in reserve to hold on by three-quarters of a length.

It was a second time in the last three years the valuable handicap has gone Varian’s way, with Raammee joining Farraaj (2014) and Enfjaar (2024) on the race’s decorated roll of honour.

Dawson said: “I couldn’t go the early gallop so I ended up a little bit further back than I wanted.

“He is still very inexperienced and his first run this year was a bit of a no-show. The second one was very much an educational one to get him to race properly. It was a big ask coming here today and I’m delighted, he’s a lovely animal and I’m really happy for the ownership.

“I was just niggling him along and he’s still a little bit green and inexperienced and the way the race was set up there were a lot of horses around him, but once he got into top gear I was always going to get there a little bit sooner than I would have liked.

“He’s gone clear and when he’s felt the other horses come up to him he’s actually gone on again.”

He added: “It’s great to be riding these winners for the boss. His horses are in great from and we seem to be having nice winners every week and hopefully it continues. Today is a massive achievement, for myself personally and a lot of other people who are involved in the horse and the stable.

“I thought when I picked up I went past them quite easily. He was inclined to go over to the far rail and I probably let him do that to a certain degree, but I thought I was clear of everything.”