Lazy Griff returned to top-level competition after securing his first victory since early 2024 by winning the Coral Marathon at Sandown. The Charlie Johnston-trained colt, who finished as runner-up in last year’s Epsom Derby, had struggled to find the winner’s enclosure following a series of second and third-place finishes throughout 2025.

Lazy Griff, a Group Three winner at Chantilly as a two-year-old, had earlier finished behind Lambourn in three races last season. After chasing the Aidan O’Brien-trained Lambourn at Epsom and finishing third to the same rival in the Irish Derby, his campaign was interrupted by an injury setback. Returning to action in May, he placed third behind Dubai Future in the Group Three Henry II Stakes at Sandown before stepping down to Listed class, where he led all the way to defeat Lady Vivian.

Trainer Charlie Johnston said the victory marked a significant milestone, noting, “It’s been a long, old road and it’s nice to get back in the winner’s enclosure.” He indicated plans to target the Group One Goodwood Cup on July 27 and the Irish St Leger on September 13, emphasizing that the colt is likely to perform best under conditions with firmer ground and some firmness, stating, “I’m sure we’ll aim to go to the Goodwood Cup but the Irish St Leger looks sure to present his optimal conditions.”

Meanwhile, trainer Roger Varian expressed continued confidence in Rahiebb, despite the four-year-old stayer failing to sustain his effort in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot. Rahiebb, last year’s St Leger runner-up, had impressed with a win in the Yorkshire Cup earlier this season and was expected to challenge again in the Gold Cup. However, while Aidan O’Brien’s Scandinavia, last year’s Doncaster winner, handled the demanding two-and-a-half-mile test well, Rahiebb appeared to run out of stamina in the final stages.

Varian commented on his hopes that Rahiebb’s Gold Cup performance was simply a matter of distance, saying, “I’m hoping it will just be the case – and time will tell – that he didn’t get home over that extended trip.” Rahiebb is also entered for the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, and although Varian has yet to finalize the colt’s best distance, the team remains optimistic about identifying the optimal race conditions going forward.