Simcock wants to enjoy his Moment in Time at Goodwood

The Newmarket handler saddles Moment In Time in the £40,000 Listed Tapster Stakes (4.05pm, five runners) and Breton Rock in the new £50,000 32Red Handicap (3.35pm, 10 runners), the richest race on the card.

Moment In Time has 16lb to find with Frankel’s brother Noble Mission, trained by Sir Henry Cecil, on official ratings but goes to Goodwood on the back of a stunning 11-length success in a 12-furlong apprentice handicap at Doncaster on May 4. She will be partnered tomorrow by Kieren Fallon for the first time.

Simcock said of the four-year-old: “Moment In Time is a filly who is improving but Sir Henry Cecil’s horse is the most talented in the race and we are playing for second and third behind him.

“There are obviously three fillies in the race looking for black type and that is our main objective. I would have preferred fast ground, but she handles softer ground and certainly has form on it.”

The field for the Tapster Stakes is completed by the Ian Williams-trained Genzy, Bana Wu, trained by Andrew Balding, and Boonga Roogeta from the stable of Peter Charalambous.

Breton Rock was undefeated in two starts as a two-year-old last season, scoring twice over six furlongs at Salisbury, and put in an eye-catching effort on his seasonal return when a fast-finishing second in a competitive extended seven-furlong handicap at Chester on May 9. Martin Lane, who has ridden Breton Rock on all three starts, is in the saddle again.

Simcock added: “I was delighted with Breton Rock at Chester and, although he was fit enough, he should be a bit sharper for that.

“He has taken a bit of a hike in the weights (up 6lb in the ratings) but, at the same time, he really comes into his own on soft ground - the more rain the better for him - and he is in good form.

“It’s hard to tell whether he will be better than a handicapper in time but these horses, who stay a mile, have a bit of speed and handle soft ground, give themselves every chance.”

Among Breton Rock’s nine rivals is the Richard Fahey-trained Flyman, who shaped with promise on his return at Doncaster on May 4, as well as Tamayuz Star and top-weight Sorella Bella, who were useful two-year-olds last season.

The Luca Cumani-trained pair of Afsare and Mobaco head a field seven for the opening £40,000 Listed Festival Stakes (2.05pm) over just short of 10 furlongs. The line up also includes Listed scorers Stipulate and Cameron Highland, and course winner Boom And Bust, ridden by Goodwood’s Racing Ambassador for 2013 Hayley Turner.

A total of 10 runners will face the starter in the longest race of day, the £25,000 Allans Of Petworth Handicap (3.05pm) over a mile and six furlongs, while a field of 19 go for the £10,000 Jersey Racing Club Handicap (4.40pm) over six furlongs.

The card is completed by two maidens, the £8,000 EBF Brighton & Hove Albion Maiden (2.35pm, 12 runners) and the £5,000 concluding Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Fillies’ Maiden (5.15pm, 11 runners).

The May Festival got underway yesterday and continued today with a seven-race programme - see a report on this website after racing.

The going remains Good with a GoingStick reading of 8.2 (taken at 7.30am today). There has been no rain since 6.00pm yesterday.