Marco Bottitargets Sandown return for Atalis Bay

Atalis Bay is eyeing a return to Sandown next week for the Coral Charge.

Trained by Italian, Marco Botti, Bay continued his progression with an entire win at the Esher venue in the Scurry Stakes last time out.

That came after a commendable run at York when second to Winter Power, who ran incredibly well for a long way last week in the King’s Stand.

Italian trainer, Botti said, “The Coral Charge is what we are aiming for on Saturday week,”

“He has come out of the race in great form, and ground permitting – because he wants good ground – the plan will be to go back to Sandown.

“It makes sense to go back to Sandown as long as the ground is fine. We know he is going up in class, so he will have to give a little more extra, but he is clearly improving and going the right way and he has done nothing wrong in three runs this year.

“It was an ideal spot for him last time. He showed plenty of toe from the gate -and when he got to the furlong pole and they challenged him, he picked up and found an extra gear.”

Stablemate Felix ended the race sixth at Ascot last week in the Wolferton Stakes – a display Botti claimed left him feeling a little disappointed – and he will be handed time to get over those efforts after the NAP of the day was given ahead of time. Before that time, he had been placed third to Lord North in the Dubai Turf.

The Newmarket trainer disclosed, “We are maybe considering Sandown (Gala Stakes) for Felix, but I would probably say I’m more inclined to go to Newbury for the Listed race there on July 17 because it gives him a little bit more time between his races,” 

“I was expecting a little bit more at Ascot – but having said that, he ran his race. The ground was plenty quick enough, and maybe it was just a little bit too quick.”

Meanwhile, Charlie Hills is delighted with the manner Battaash has recovered from his exertions at King’s Stand Stakes.

While the 7yr-old lost his title to Oxted, Hills felt he had logical excuses for the Royal Ascot reverse.

A red-hot pace earlier in the race and it being Battaash’s first race of the season contributed to the horse becoming “leg-weary” in the closing stages, Hills believed, who is following his regular campaign to Goodwood next – where he will attempt a remarkable fifth consecutive King George Qatar Stakes wins.

Hills disclosed, “He’s come out of the race really well actually, he’s been cantering away this week and we’re really pleased with him,”

“They went really fast and with it being the first time out it just caught him out.

“It’s a stiff five furlongs at Ascot, it has never really played to his strengths and he just got tired and a bit leg-weary in the last half-furlong.

“He’s also there to be shot out when it transpires like that.

“We’ll go to Goodwood now, his races are pretty obvious.”

Hills also held high hopes for Mutasaabeq in the Jersey Stakes, but he ran way below expectations and only beat two home.

“I don’t think the testing ground helped him, but he was beaten a long way out,” said Hills.

“I was disappointed with the run and we’ll get him fully checked over this week.

“Given his form, he should have been in the mix so he’s run below par. We’ll do all the tests we can.”