Raheen House has huge potential says excited Meehan

3.45 Goodwood

EBF Stallions Cocked Hat Stakes (Listed) | 1m3f | RUK

Raheen House split two subsequent Oaks trial winners last time and now gets the chance to land his own Classic warm-up.

His reappearance second in a conditions race at Newbury last month looked good at the time and it looks even better now, with winner Shutter Speed having taken the Musidora Stakes at York and third-placed Enable landing the Cheshire Oaks at Chester.

This is generally recognised as the final Derby trial and although no winner has gone on to score at Epsom since Troy – who also won the Irish Derby – in 1979, Rewilding and Storm The Stars have both finished third there in the last seven years.

But Raheen House, fourth in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last year, will not bid to enhance that record as his target is the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

"I never thought he'd be ideal for the Derby," said trainer Brian Meehan. "He has huge potential and I hope he'll be at his best at Ascot.

Raheen House chases Shutter Speed home at NewburyCredit: Mark Cranham

"He's in great form and I'm looking forward to Friday's race. To split those two fillies at Newbury was very encouraging. He looks really well and I can't wait to run him."

John Gosden runs two King Edward VII entries in a race he has won in three of the last eight years.

"Khalidi ran in what turned out to be a hot Newmarket Stakes [won by Dante winner Permian] last time, but we felt he didn't run his race," the trainer said. "He has the penalty again, but should run a nice race.

"Monarchs Glen has winning form at the track and has the cheekpieces on to help him this time."

Storm The Stars' trainer William Haggas is represented by Yarmouth debut winner The Grand Visir, who is entered in the Queen's Vase and the Irish Derby as well as the King Edward VII.

"He won his maiden nicely and this is a step up, but we hope he's ready for it," Haggas said. "He's been backward and slow to come to hand."

The only Investec Derby entry in the field is Fierce Impact, who was last of five in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown last month – a place behind Monarchs Glen.

"I was a little disappointed with him at Sandown, but he'll be slightly better on the faster ground," said trainer David Simcock. "It's a competitive little heat, but I hope he'll run well."