Hardwicke Stakes: Athos on course for Ascot

Luca Cumani is aiming Mount Athos at the Hardwicke Stakes

Mount Athos is set to tackle the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot following his easy success at Chester last month...

The six-year-old was a nine-length winner of the Ormonde Stakes on his first start since finishing fifth in the Melbourne Cup and 12th in the Japan Cup last November.

Trainer Luca Cumani is now eyeing a trip to Royal Ascot for the mile-and-a-half Group 2 on June 22, but expects his charge to face a tough task.

"He's fine and is going for the Hardwicke (at Royal Ascot). I think there will probably be a certain St Nicholas Abbey in that race," he said.

"It's not going to be easy, but where else can we go?"

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