RAHEEN A STERLING CHOICE

Raheen House has some excellent bits of form in the book and he can enjoy his own moment in the spotlight by winning tomorrow’s EBF Stallions Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood.

This one-mile-three-fur-long contest has served as a Derby trial in days gone by and while Raheen House has no Epsom pretensions, victory here could put him firmly in the mix for next month’s Ascot Derby – otherwise known at the King Edward VII Stakes.

Raheen House took three attempts to get off the mark last term, but his eventual York victory in October was deemed enough by Brian Meehan to warrant a swift step up to Group One level in the Racing Post Trophy.

The Sea The Stars colt ran well enough in fourth, defying his 16-1 tag to be beaten just over two lengths by Rivet and that run was certainly no fluke judged on his reappearance effort.

Pitched in against Shutter Speed in conditions company at Newbury last month, he had to concede 5lb to both the winner, who has since gone on to land the Musidora, and the third, Enable, who claimed the Cheshire Oaks in style subsequently.

With both fillies on the Classic trial, the merit of Raheen House’s form is there for all to see and it will be disappointing if he cannot step up on that, with a switch up in trip also appearing sure to suit.

Queen Of Time kicked off her campaign with victory on the Sussex Downs at the start of the month and she can win again in the Brenda Hamilton Fillies’ Handicap.

Atty Persse was once viewed as a possible to line up in the main event at Epsom last week, but he returns to action in the much less glamorous Watch Racing UK On BT TV Handicap at Haydock.

Roger Charlton has his sights on the King Edward VII with this colt and he should be winning off a mark of 91 if is he to realise those kind of pretensions.