Atzeni keen on Elm's Guineas chances Andrea Atzeni feels Andrew Balding's Qipco 2000 Guineas contender Elm Park has more speed than people give him credit for. Winners of the Racing Post Trophy are generally perceived to be Derby contenders and likely to excel over further than a mile. However, Atzeni believes Elm Park could surprise a few in the first Classic of the season. "I'll probably have a sit on him, maybe just before the Guineas probably," Atzeni told At The Races. "It's still early days, I think he's going straight to the Guineas, but it's a bit early to be having a sit on him yet. "He has more speed than people think, he's got a high cruising speed. When he won the Racing Post Trophy he travelled really well and quickened well. "He'll stay further than a mile no problem this year so he could be a Derby contender." Atzeni claimed St Leger glory on Roger Varian's Kingston Hill last season and despite leaving his role with the trainer to become a retained rider for Qatar Racing, Atzeni still hopes to be in the saddle whenever he can. "I'd love to get back on Kingston Hill and I think he's still my ride this year, which is great as I love the horse. He gave me some great days," said Atzeni. "I saw him about a week ago and he looks even better than he did last year. "I'm looking forward to getting back on him this year. "His run in the Arc was amazing. It was a great spin on ground that was quicker than he likes, it was quicker than Doncaster, but he ran a great race. He doesn't know how to run a bad race."
