Atavus holds on for Tote glory

Atavus landed his second big win of the season when scraping home at 11-1 in a thriller for the Tote International Stakes at Ascot today.

George Margarson`s seven-furlong specialist was adding the Stg£150,000 contest to his win in the Bunbury Cup.

But it was only by the minimum margin that he and apprentice Jamie Mackay prevented Nice One Clare, the Wokingham winner, landing another premier Ascot handicap for trainer Pip Payne and rider Johnny Murtagh.

Well-backed top-weight Tillerman was a further neck down in third.

Margarson said: 'I shut my eyes but I was pretty certain he had just hung on. He`s gutsy, and I think if there had been another half-furlong he`d have just hung on in there. He`s tough.

'I was pleased for Jamie as he gets on well with the horse and listens to every word I`ve told him.'

Leggy Lou acquired quotes between 33-1 and 50-1 for the Sagitta 1000 Guineas after she turned the Group Three Princess Margaret Stakes into a five-length romp under Olivier Peslier.

Leggy Lou will step up to Group company for the Lowther Stakes after which she could tackle the Cheveley Park Stakes.

Nadour Al Bahr won the Harry Oppenheimer Diamond Rated Stakes for Epsom trainer Terry Mills.