Salisbury preview: Moohaarib pure gold in Sovereign Stakes

Moohaarib looks decent value to land the feature race on today’s seven-race card at Salisbury, the Group 3 Sovereign Stakes (16.25).

The Marco Botti trained colt is a smart performer on his day, who after finishing a solid third in the Lincoln on return to action took his form to a new level when landing a Listed contest at Ascot.

After being settled in the rear, the four-year-old made smooth headway two from home to lead on the bit entering the final furlong.

Moohaarib then only had to be nudge clear to win very easily by 1 1/2 lengths from the useful Hors De Combat.

It was a most taking performance which oozed class, and one which suggested Moohaarib had a huge engine and should be up to making his mark in Group contests.

Although slightly disappointing last time out when just 15th of 16 to Night Of Thunder in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, that was a very hot Group 1 contest and this is far easier.

The race is also likely to be run at a strong gallop, and that should set things up nicely for the strong finishing Moohaarib.

In the 1m handicap (14.55), Goodwood Moonlight can take advantage of a drop in the weights to open his account now fitted with the visor for the first time.

The William Knight trained gelding ran well on his final start of last season when fourth of 11 to Awesome Power at Lingfield, and caught the eye on seasonal reappearance when keeping on under tender handling to finish seventh of 15 to Intilaaq in a warm 1m maiden at Newbury.

Goodwood Moonlight was allotted an opening mark of 61 on the back of those efforts, but has failed to live up to expectations in four subsequent outings.

The three-year-old has attracted plenty of support on each of those runs, but having often travelled strongly has failed to see out his races.