Laheeb set for winter break

Michael Jarvis believes it is a “strong possibility” that Laaheb will be given the rest of the year off following his last-gasp victory at Ascot on Sunday.

The four-year-old has only once finished outside the first three in 12 career appearances and he was recording his second successive win in Pattern company when beating Whispering Gallery by just a nose in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes.

“He’s come out of the race absolutely fine. It was very close but he’s very tough and very game,” said Jarvis.

“I haven’t had a chance to speak to the owner (Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum) or Angus Gold (owner’s racing manager), but there is not a lot left for him anyway.

“I think there’s a strong possibility that he won’t run again this season, but nothing is set in stone.

“Hopefully he can go on improving. He never ran as a two-year-old and I think that can often be an advantage in the long run.”