Horse Racing Tips: Goodwood specialist can deliver Moore success

Sandown, 15.58 - Back Tambora @ 4/15.00

5 (1)

Tambora

• J: Pat Dobbs
• T: Richard Hannon
• F: 5-66

• SBK 5/2
• EXC 3.85

The Newbury maiden won by the Owen Burrows-trained Heyzoom may prove a pivotal piece of three-year-old form for the remainder of the flat season, especially if the winner finds a way into an Ascot handicap off a mark of just 85.

That looks a rating to exploit for Burrows, especially as runner-up Besieged hosed up by 14 lengths at Salisbury on Tuesday and fourth-home Echo Of Stars captured a Chepstow maiden at the backend of last month.

There has even been success for 33/1 chance Brocklesby Bill who beat just one home at Newbury before also scoring at Chepstow for trainer Kathy Turner.

Those victories may encourage the handicapper to revisit Heyzoom's mark in the short term - connections would arguably wish they would to ensure their colt's Ascot participation - but I can't help feeling Tambora may also be attractively treated off 78 on his first dip into handicap company.

All three of the selection's qualifying runs have been undertaken at Newbury so there is clearly a box to tick with a trip to today's track, while a lot of rain would also temper confidence, but the maidens tackled by the son of Pinatubo this season have both worked out really well and he again shaped with a lot of promise last time.

There is a chance that, given his pedigree, Tambora may prove better over a mile, however the Hannon operation is clearly keen to try him over futher and a dosage index of 1.0 suggests that a mile and a quarter is within his remit on his handicap bow so he could go well in the colours of last weekend's Derby fifth Alderman.

York, 16.10 - Back Altareq each-way @ 8/19.00

16 (8)

Altareq

• J: Lauren Young
• T: Jim Goldie
• F: 632-33

• SBK 11/4
• EXC 4.5

There is a case for suggesting that Altareq is one of the better handicapped horses presently in training.

The handicapper saw fit to drop the four-year-old for his recent Hamilton third over an inadequate extended mile, despite him again shaping with immense potential.

That Class 2 handicap featured a couple of horses from well supported stables and the winner, Diego Ventura, was allowed to dictate matters from runner-up Eternal Force who narrowly failed to overhaul a well-ridden rival.

As is the norm, Altareq handicapped himself with a sluggish start as he had done at York on his previous start, but whereas a strong gallop on the Knavesmire allowed him to finish off well, a stop-start tactical affair at Hamilton over a trip short of his optimum did not.

Returning to 10 furlongs and York can see Jim Goldie's son of Frankel in a better light and the 8/19.00 on offer with four places makes plenty of appeal each-way.

York, 16.10 - Back Castle Stuart each-way @ 22/123.00

9 (11)

Castle Stuart (Ire)

• J: Barry McHugh
• T: Richard & Peter Fahey
• F: 13747-660

• SBK 18/1
• EXC 17.5

The case for supporting Castle Stuart isn't quite so compelling given he can often over race and connections might just have to concede that he needs to be gelded to fulfil his long-term potential.

They reach for the hood today in a bid to pacify the four-year-old's exuberance and he is another that has received some respite from the handicapper following a trip to Carlisle over a trip he was highly unlikely to see out.

Another positive is the return of Barry McHugh in the saddle as the Irishman has been on board for two of the selection's best career efforts, both of which coincidentally came at York.

Castle Stuart isn't one for a sizeable investment, but in the hope the hood helps him settle a little better, 22/123.00 is fair for a horse of his natural talent under conditions which have proven to be suitable.

Goodwood, 18.39 - Back Aggagio @ 11/26.50

2 (6)

Aggagio (Fr)

• J: Tom Queally
• T: Gary & Josh Moore
• F: 8/431534-5

• SBK 11/2
• EXC 2.5

The prospect of further rain on the south coast will probably be music to the ears of Aggagio's connections ahead of the eight-year-old's 19th start at the pictureque Sussex venue.

I wonder if any horse on the flat has ever made such a high percentage of his career appearances at one venue as Aggagio has managed (18 from 26 starts on grass) - no doubt there have been all-weather veterans who can boast big numbers, but turf percentages may not be quite so high.

The son of Born To Sea made his comeback to racing on the level at today's venue (surprise, surprise) at the start of May when apprentice ridden and the run served to see his mark drop to 80 amd reintroduce the veteran to flat racing following a spell over hurdles.

Any further rain will make this more of a stamina test and, with the form of that last run, working out nicely, Aggagio is taken to see off Cruden.

Now read Katie Midwinter's latest horse racing tips here