Mick set to swerve Ascot

Young Mick is unlikely to take up his entry in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, according to trainer George Margarson.

The five-year-old sprung to prominence last season by winning an astonishing 10 races, beginning with a Wolverhampton claimer off a mark of 54.

He ended up with a Royal Ascot win in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes and Group Three success in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes.

Margarson was hoping to have had him on the track before now, but after the King’s Theatre gelding enjoyed himself rather too much during the winter, he is a bit behind schedule.

“He’s unlikely to run in the Hardwicke as he’s been slow to come to hand this year, I’ve been fighting a bit of a losing battle with him,” said the Newmarket handler.

“We left him out too long and then he got a foot problem. If the race was six weeks away that would be perfect, he’s coming in his coat now.

“I’ve left him in because he can change very quickly. I would like to run him but we’ll see. I’m not under any pressure from the owner. I’ll probably decide this weekend but at the moment he is unlikely to run.

“There are a couple of Listed races in about a month’s time with a view to having another crack at the Cumberland Lodge at the end of the year.

“He may even go to the Ebor again, although I appreciate the fact he would have top weight.

“I’m just a little worried that horses who have a year like he had sometimes struggle the year after. It was always going to be difficult this year after winning 10 races last season but I can understand that people want to see him on the track.

“The Melbourne Cup is still a possibility but the owner is an elderly man so he wouldn’t get the fun out of it. He will agree with whatever I want to do I think.

“I would have loved to have run him in the Hardwicke as I think he is a 10lb better horse at Ascot.

“Wherever he runs I would like to think Richard Quinn would ride him again, he has been down riding work for me since he came back.”