Atzeni keen on Ulysses prospects

Andrea Atzeni is excited about his Investec Derby prospects after being snapped up by Sir Michael Stoute to ride Ulysses.

The Italian finished second on Kingston Hill two years ago and will certainly be on the best-bred horse in the race given Ulysses is by 2001 Derby winner Galileo and out of 2007 Oaks heroine Light Shift.

It was a little disappointing Ulysses took three races to break his maiden but he is a typical Stoute late-developer and the fact the Freemason Lodge handler feels it is worth rolling the dice, having won the Classic five times already, suggests he will not be out of place.

Atzeni said: “I didn’t think I was going to get a ride in the race until about 10 days ago, when Sir Michael phoned me up and asked if I wanted to partner Ulysses. I was delighted to accept.

“Everyone likes Ulysses in the yard and they’ve always thought a lot of him, even as a two-year-old. I know it’s a big step up from a maiden to a Derby, but it’s been done before and he’s …

continue reading in source www.skysports.com