Andrea Atzeni impressed by Investec Derby challenger Ulysses
Thursday 26 May 2016 14:50, UK
Andrea Atzeni is eagerly looking forward to the Investec Derby at Epsom after partnering Ulysses in work on Wednesday.
The gallop was a 'getting to know you exercise' with Atzeni getting the leg up for the first time after being booked to ride the Galileo colt in the Classic.
The momentum in the ante-post betting markets has been firmly with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained runner over the last 10 days with rumours of his impressive work circulating around Newmarket and Atzeni was happy with the gallop.
"It felt very straightforward, he switches off in behind, and when I asked him, he quickened past the lead horse," he told The Daily Telegraph.
"He is very well proportioned, a good moving horse. He is not massive, he is a good size - you wouldn't want to be too big anyway to go around Epsom," added the jockey who finished second on Kingston Hill on his first Derby ride two years ago.
Ulysses suffered a setback in the winter which meant that he was short of work ahead of his reappearance in a maiden at Leicester, a race which was won by subsequently impressive handicap winner Imperial Aviator and a contest in which Atzeni was third aboard UAE Prince.
"We thought a lot of ours, we thought he was our Derby horse," he continued.
"It was probably the best maiden in the country. He [Ulyssses] is a beautifully bred horse. He is bred to win a Derby - out of an Oaks winner by a Derby winner. I think they have always liked him and it will be interesting to see how he goes.
"There are horses that are going to the race without you knowing how good they really are, starting with my fellow."
Ulysses is currently the 7/1 joint third favourite with Sky Bet behind US Army Ranger and Wings Of Desire at 4/1 and alongside French raider Cloth Of Stars.
