Dave Massey is back with his Saturday Racing Tips, looking at the weekend’s action from Goodwood and Sandown.
Dave Massey Saturday Racing Tips: August 29th 2026
There’s very likely to be some cut in the ground at Sandown on Saturday, perhaps not soft ground per se but certainly edging towards good to soft, and that could open this up a bit. The progressive Kokbastau has won his last two on the all-weather, and does need to prove a slower surface will suit, so for today is passed over. Crown Of Oaks did nothing but improve in the second half of last year, winning the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day, but he hasn’t been seen out since disappointing in a Group 3 at The Curragh back in June, and with the Cambridgeshire in mind, is likely to need this run.
Saturday Racing Tips: Alcrath (Sandown, 2.15)
So Alcarath (2.15) might be the answer. It’s been steady rather than spectacular improvement this season but he looked like he was coming to the boil when a head second to Dangerman over C&D last time, on ground Timeform described as good to soft. He’s been nudged up 3lb for that but that only puts him back on his initial handicap mark, and merely a repeat of that puts him in the firing line. The booking of Oisin Murphy is the icing on the cake, and I make him a very solid each-way bet.
Saturday Racing Tips: Noche Clasica (Sandown Park, 2.50)
An open-looking renewal of the Atalanta in which you can make cases for quite a few, but at a big price I cannot resist the claims of Noche Clasica (2.50), a winner at the back end of last year at Redcar (on good to soft ground) and looked every bit as good when winning on her reappearance at Musselburgh over nine furlings this year, winning with plenty in hand and looking a filly to follow. Despite finishing only fourth in Listed company at Haydock on her next start, she shaped a lot better than the bare result, making a move too soon and paying for that in the latter stages. Perhaps fast ground didn’t suit her at Ascot next time but she ran poorly, but after a short break bounced back to finish fifth in the Listed Dick Hern Stakes at Haydock last time, leading at the furlong pole but just getting a little tired late on. She should come on a bit for that, and I don’t think we have seen the best of her yet. Looks terrific each-way value.
Saturday Racing Tips: Rhoscolyn (Goodwood, 2.00)
It’s widely thought Rhoscolyn needs slow ground to show his best but that’s not really that case, he just doesn’t want it quick, and he’s unlikely to get that at Goodwood on Saturday with plenty more showers on the way between now and racetime. He’s not really had a fair crack of the whip this year, the rain just not coming for him in time for the Golden Mile here at the Glorious meeting and he was withdrawn as a result, and Chester last week looked no more than a run to keep him on the go for this. He’s a whopping 10lb lower than the start of the season and now this six-time course winner finally has a few more things in his favour, he should run his race.
Saturday Racing Tips: Too Soon (Goodwood, 2.35)
Too Soon couldn’t have won the Northern Dancer Handicap at Epsom’s Derby meeting any easier than he did really, although he did take a bit of time to warm to his task that day. All the same, he was strong at the finish, relishing the rain-softened ground, and the first-time cheekpieces also seemed to help his cause. He’s run well at Goodwood before without winning (mainly in Group or Listed company, to be fair) and handles the track, and although upped 6lb for the Epsom win, you’d be surprised if that was his last win this season. The Epsom form is working out well enough, he comes here fresh, and I fancy he’ll be winning again here.
By Dave Massey
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