Atzeni set to miss Guineas at Newmarket after picking up whip ban 

Jockey Andrea Atzeni is set to miss next month’s Guineas at Newmarket after picking up a six-day whip ban at the track on Thursday.

The 28-year-old, who could have potentially ridden Roger Varian-trained 1,000 Guineas favourite Qabala, was given the ban, which runs between May 2 and 7, following his winning ride aboard the Alan King-trained Beringer in the Coates & Seely Brut Reserve Handicap.

Stewards at the track deemed the Classic-winning jockey to have used his whip in the incorrect place aboard the four-year-old on the run to the line in the mile contest, an offence which carries a ban ranging from two to six days.

Andrea Atzeni is set to miss next month’s Guineas at Newmarket after picking up a whip ban

Atzeni said: ‘There is nothing much I can say. I am disappointed. I had hoped to ride in the 1000 Guineas and UAE Jewel was a possible ride at the meeting.’

Meanwhile, trainer James Tate hopes all roads will lead to Royal Ascot for Far Above after he lived up to expectations on his debut in the Alex Scott Maiden Stakes.

Despite taking on a number of more experienced rivals, the son of Farhh travelled well throughout the seven-furlong contest before being pushed out to defeat Franz Kakfa by a head.

In doing so he earned a 14-1 quote for the Jersey Stakes with Paddy Power.

Tate said of the 11-8 winner: ‘He has been working the house down. We’ve been dreaming ever since we watched him gallop this spring.

On the six-day ban, the jockey (L) said: ‘There is nothing much I can say. I am disappointed’

‘Races like the Jersey you dream of and the seven-furlong Listed race back here (King Charles II) would be a nice stepping stone.’

Well Of Wisdom (5-1) gave trainer Charlie Appleby his third winner at the three day meeting when getting up in the closing stages of the Montaz Restaurant British EBF Novice Stakes.

The Newmarket trainer said: ‘William (Buick) said he was just rolling around a little bit early doors. He came home strong and at the end of the day his pedigree suggests he wants a bit further. Stepping up to six will be the most logical way forward.

‘He will want another run before we look at Royal Ascot. The Coventry would be the obvious race there.’

Atzeni could have potentially ridden Roger Varian-trained 1,000 Guineas favourite Qabala

Fox Champion (5-2) also opened the door to a step up in class when completing a hat-trick with an all-the-way success in the British EBF bet365 Conditions Stakes.

The son of Kodiac has not looked back since meeting with defeat on his debut at Doncaster in June, as he followed up his last-time-out win on Town Moor in finding plenty from the front to run out a length and a quarter winner of the seven-furlong event.

Trainer Richard Hannon said: ‘He is a very nice colt and has done it the hard way there, making the running and giving weight away.

‘He ran on Derby day last year and I was gutted he got beat. He might come back here for the King Charles II Stakes and he might be a Jersey horse.’