Ajtebi sweet on Glad chance

Ahmed Ajtebi is in confident mood as he prepares to get the leg up on Gladiatorus in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot next week.

The four-year-old has enjoyed a productive year so far having racked up three victories in Dubai, culminating in a hugely impressive display under Ajtebi in the Dubai Duty Free.

Despite having since moved from Mubarak bin Shafya to Saeed bin Suroor and Godolphin, connections have decided to stick with the young jockey and he can hardly wait for the Royal Ascot curtain-raiser on Tuesday.

“When you get chances like this as a jockey, it makes you very happy and I am looking forward to the race,” said Ajtebi.

“He is dropping in trip from the Duty Free but he broke the track record over a mile and he has the speed for Group One level.

“I just want to see how he will handle the track as it is a straight mile and I don’t think he has done that before. When he was winning at Nad Al Sheba he was going round a bend and he loved it.

“The good ground should suit him perfectly and he is such a great horse he gives you a lot of confidence when you ride him.

“Sir Michael Stoute’s horse (Main Aim) has looked good over six and seven furlongs and Paco Boy is also a fast horse so it looks like it could be a fast race, but we will have to wait.

“There is no pressure when you are riding these good horses and I know it won’t be easy, but if he handles the track I think he has more than a big chance.”