House to party on seasonal bow at Ascot

Tips: Four-year-old expected to make light work of step up to two miles

RAHEEN HOUSE can mark himself as a potential leading player in the staying division this term with victory on his seasonal bow at Ascot.

The four-year-old steps up to two miles for the first time in the Longines Sagaro Stakes, but having won over 14 furlongs last term, it would not take much more to bridge that gap.

Winner of the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket last July, when he beat the reopposing Desert Skyline off level weights, trainer Brian Meehan then opted to take a break before going allin for Classic glory in the St Leger at Doncaster.

That plan did not quite pay off as he could finish only seventh but Raheen House subsequently won on good to soft going on his penultimate start at Ascot.

While two miles 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 Three glory and can pick up where he left off in the Merriebelle Stable Pavilion Stakes.

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 half-length defeat at York last August into a neck victory at Newmarket in October. Racing off level weights this time, any ease in the ground will be appreciated by Abel Handy.

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 mile handicap in February, ending a long losing run in the process.

It is interesting 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 debut for Karen McLintock in the Coral Supporting The Northern Racing College Handicap at Pontefract. SELECTIONS: ASCOT: 2.00 The Irish Rover, 2.35 Dathanna, 3.10 RAHEEN HOUSE (NAP), 3.45 Abel Handy, 4.20 Hors De Combat, 4.55 Sayem.

PONTEFRACT: 2.10 Zip, 2.45 Kings Full, 3.20 Rayaa, 3.55 Trinity Star, 4.30 Inner Circle, 5.05 The Right Choice, 5.40 Foxtrot Knight.

DOUBLE: Raheen House and Abel Handy.