Hattan on the ropes

Clive Brittain’s Hattan will miss his intended engagement in Saturday’s Listed Magnolia Stakes due to an abscess on a tooth.

The four-year-old, who finished sixth in the Derby but last in the St Leger last term, was to use the race at Kempton as a stepping-stone towards bigger targets this year – but plans are now on the back-burner.

“We will have to give him some dental work before he will run I’m afraid,” said Brittain.

“The St Leger trip certainly stretched him and, in the soft ground, he just didn’t stay. Because of that he will be campaigned over a mile and a quarter, and a mile and a half this year.

“He ran a cracker in the Derby and it looked good until the winner (Motivator) swooped past him."

Brittain also had news of stable stalwart Warrsan, who is set to bid for a third victory in the Coronation Cup at Epsom after finishing fourth behind Yeats last year.

“Warrsan is in very good form, he had a swim this morning and he had a roll in the paddock and seems very happy in himself,” he added.

“The Coronation Cup will be the aim again and it is almost sure to be his first run.”