Monday 22 May 2017 18:44, UK
Roger Charlton will step Atty Persse up in trip at Haydock on Friday as part of his preparations for an outing at Royal Ascot after ruling out a bid for the Investec Derby.
The unbeaten son of Frankel, who was a general 20/1 chance for the Epsom Classic, will race over a mile and a quarter for the first time to contest the Watch Racing UK On BT TV Handicap at the Lancashire track.
After making a winning debut at Sandown in September, the Godolphin-owned colt made it two from two at the Esher track when claiming a mile handicap on his seasonal bow last month.
Charlton said: "The plan is to run Atty Persse at Haydock on Friday. The reason why the Dee Stakes at Chester was mentioned after his last win was there was not another race he was eligible to run in.
"Because he was rated 91 there were no handicaps for him and he was ineligible to run in the London Gold Cup, otherwise that would have been an obvious target.
"We are running him in a handicap as he is a horse that is rated 91 and is not a Derby horse. We will go this route and see how he goes, then we will see about stepping him up to a mile and a half for the King George V Stakes. That's the programme.
"He did extremely well at Sandown last time as it was a rough race. He could have been engulfed and finished fifth or sixth.
"The strength of the form has bits of a boost coming out of it and I'm sure plenty of winners will emerge from the race. He will improve going up another two furlongs, as he is crying out for it."
While Classic aspirations are off the agenda for Atty Persse, the Beckhampton handler could send Natavia to the Investec Oaks should conditions be in her favour.
After finishing second on her debut at Newmarket, the daughter of Nathaniel stepped up on that effort when landing a Listed contest at Newbury on Saturday.
Charlton said: "Natavia did well, she got the trip well and she probably appreciated a bit of cut in the ground more than some of the others.
"Her pedigree does have a question mark over whether she would stay a mile and a half, but at some stage it is definitely worth trying.
"If the ground was on the slow side at Epsom the Oaks would be very much considered, although Juddmonte have another filly in there (Enable).
"It's quite possible that if she doesn't run there she could go to Ascot for the Ribblesdale or the Hampton Court, but if the ground is too quick at either place she won't go.
"The win at Newbury was not really a surprise as her work in the mornings had looked strong. The only doubt I had in my mind was I didn't know whether she would operate on that ground, but you don't know until you try them."
