Goodwood Preview: Marzocco and Moore a potent combination

The Cocked Hat Stakes is the feature race on day two of Goodwood’s May Festival (4.00), and Marzocco is taken to get back on the winning trail after looking an unlucky loser last time out.
The John Gosden trained colt overcame greenness when making a winning debut in a mile contest at Kempton in October, where after being slolwy away he produced a strong run to win going away by 1 3/4 lengths.

It was a very taking performance by Marzocco, and one which marked him out as the type that had the potential to do very well as a three-year-old.

The son of Kitten’s Joy confirmed that impression on his seasonal reappearance when runner-up in the 1m 2f Investec Derby Trial at Epsom on good-to-soft ground.

After being held-up, Marzocco got bumped and was forced to come down the centre of the track before being switched a furlong from home and running on strongly to go down by a fast diminishing head to Our Channel.

There is little doubt in my mind that he would have won granted a clearer passage, and with the step up to 1m 3f expected to suit, Marzoccio can gain compensation in this in the hand’s of in-form jockey Ryan Moore.

Asphan Sam and Intrinsic dominate the market in the 6f handicap (4.35), but Ajjaadd is well-treated and looks a bit of each-way value given his proven ability to handle soft ground.

The Ted Powell trained gelding is a useful sort when he has his conditions, and looked as good as ever when making a winning seasonal reappearance last year at Epsom off a mark of 95.

The eight-year-old went on to post a career best effort when second of 27 to Rex Imperator in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood off 98, and now gets into this contest off 93.

That is 2lb lower than when last successful and gives the son of Elusive Quality every chance at the weights on the pick of his form.

In the 1m handicap (5.10), Tullia’s proven ability to handle testing conditions makes her look the one they all have to beat.

Trained by William Knight, the filly got off the mark at the fourth time of asking as a juvenile when making all and keeping on strongly to beat Rolling Dice by 1 1/2 lengths in a 7f maiden at Salisbury on soft ground.