Rachel Candelora's Wednesday tips: Bet the House at Ascot

Obviously as an American the Kentucky Derby looms large this weekend and I'm extremely looking forward to the 144th Run For The Roses on Saturday night.

I have narrowed down the field to five, and you can read my picks later today here on Racinguk.com.

More immediately it is a busy day of domestic racing and here are my selections.

3:00 Wolverhampton – Raashdy at 2-1:

Raashdy was one of the leading All-Weather horses during the winter, having racked up a four-timer in October and November. He followed up those performances with a few good placed efforts at Wolverhampton.

He has been off since late December, but trainer Peter Hiatt has found a nice reappearance race for him over a course and distance he has already won over.

The jockey booking of James Doyle adds to the appeal.

3:10 Ascot – Raheen House at 11-4 with Paddy Power:

Trainer Brian Meehan steps Raheen House up to two miles for the first time and I will be amazed if this son of Sea The Stars is not a major player in long distance races this season.

He was awarded the 1m6f Listed Noel Murless Stakes here at Ascot last October and will encounter very similar underfoot conditions on Wednesday.

He has run really well on both of seasonal debuts to date, including when finishing just ahead of Enable at Newbury 12 months ago on his seasonal reappearance.

3:45 Ascot – Sound And Silence at 11-2 with Ladbrokes:

Looking at the prices, it appears to me that Sound And Silence has got to be value against Invincible Army.

This Royal Ascot winner last year (Windsor Castle Stakes) went on to finish runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Del Mar and represents an owner, trainer, jockey combination who took this race 12 months ago with another seasonal debutant in Blue Point.

4:20 Ascot – Victory Bond at 11-4 with Coral:

Victory Bond hosed up at Lingfield at Easter (PA)

Anyone who was lucky enough, like me, to be trackside at Lingfield on Good Friday could not help but be “wowed” by the turn of foot Victory Bond showed to win the Easter Classic.

I like the fact that in-form William Haggas has decided to begin the horse’s 2018 turf campaign over this stiff mile at Ascot and I am not worried about him running on turf with some cut in it as he broke his maiden at Ripon on good to soft ground.

Rachel Candelora's Wednesday tips: