Atavus set for Diomed Stakes
Atavus is set to run in the Group Three Vodafone Diomed Stakes at Epsom on June 7.
The six-year-old horse, known as somewhat of a seven furlong specialist, will step up to a mile for the race.
All but two of his eight wins have come over seven furlongs but trainer George Margarson is targeting the Diomed as he thought Atavus ran well when second over a mile at Windsor last time out.
“He goes for the Diomed at Epsom on Derby Day now,” he said. “He steps up to a mile but I thought he showed improved form over the mile at Windsor last time.
“He’s won at Epsom (the Vaillant Fortune Stakes last year) before so that’s not a worry, the worry would be the extra furlong and how he handles that there.”
Margarson admits a mile is not the ideal trip but he is keen to keep the Distant Relative horse on the go before a possible run in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket on June 28.
He added: “There aren’t really any suitable seven furlong races until the Criterion now and he gets bored at home so we’ll give him a trip round Epsom.”
