Raheen House set to make his mark as a stayer at Ascot
– Raheen House can mark himself as a potential leading player in the staying division this term with victory today on his seasonal bow at Ascot.
This four-year-old steps up to 3200m for the first time in the Longines Sagaro Stakes, but having won over 2800m last term, it would not take much more to bridge that gap.
Winner of the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket in July, when he beat the reopposing Desert Skyline off level weights, trainer Brian Meehan then opted to take a break before going all-in for Classic glory in the St Leger at Doncaster.
That plan did not quite pay off as he finished only seventh in what was a strong renewal of the race and while the ease in the
London
ground could have been a negative factor, Raheen House subsequently blew that theory out of the water when winning on good to soft going on his penultimate start at Ascot.
His final outing of the year resulted in a solid second at Newbury, but he really was up against it that day as he conceded weight to the winner in a Group 3 race over an inadequate 2400m trip.
While 3200m is a question mark, there is stamina in his pedigree and Jamie Spencer is renowned for delivering his mounts with a late challenge - a tactic which could pay dividends.
Abel Handy rounded off last year with Group 3 glory and can pick up where he left off in the Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes over 1200m.
He meets with old adversary Sound And Silence again and with the scores currently standing at one all, Abel Handy can take the advantage.
Declan Carroll's runner turned a 0.5-length defeat at York in August into a neck victory at Newmarket in October and while he was getting weight on both occasions, the suspicion is he is the one on the upgrade now.
Racing off level weights this time, any ease in the ground will be appreciated by Abel Handy and he can put himself in the Commonwealth Cup picture.
Hors De Combat should be fit for the Celebrating The Commonwealth Paradise Stakes after a couple of decent runs in Dubai at the start of the year.
He bagged a nice payday for Denis Coakley when winning a 1600m handicap in February, ending a long losing run in the process.
It is interesting that Aidan O'Brien goes to the trouble of sending The Irish Rover for the Sodexo Conditions Stakes and perhaps the hint should be taken.
Trinity Star can make a winning Ascot (UK) Wednesday Race 1: 15:00 debut for Karen McLintock in the Coral Supporting The Northern Racing College Handicap at Pontefract, while Asoof is one to follow at Wolverhampton.
Beaten into third on her debut at Newmarket in April, Saeed bin Suroor's charge should progress for the experience and the second division of the Saddle Up For The #bcbf_18 Fillies' Novice Stakes is a nice opportunity to get off the mark. –