Mick Back In Business

Young Mick will bid to pick up where he left off last term in Sunday's Grosvenor Casinos Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot.

The five-year-old won the 12-furlong contest last September and trainer George Margarson pitches him back in at the Berkshire track for his belated seasonal bow.

'He's on course for Sunday and Richard Quinn is due to ride him,' said Margarson.

'He will do his final bit of work on Wednesday and although it's going to be a nervous couple of days for me, I don't foresee any problems.

'He's as fit as I can get him and I expect him to run well as long as the ground doesn't turn into a swamp and go against him.'

Young Mick enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks last season, winning a Wolverhampton maiden in January off a mark of 54 before going onto Group Three success.

His progress has been hindered by a string of minor problems this year but Margarson is keen to make up for lost time.

'There's been nothing for him really since he had to miss the Ebor,' explained the trainer.

'He could have gone to Newbury last week but I thought we would wait for Saturday as it's over a mile and a half and he's won the race before.

'The plan is to go to Dubai after Saturday and he would probably run in the St Simon Stakes at Newbury (October 27) on the way.'

Young Mick is one of 21 horses entered for the Group Three contest with Aidan O'Brien having the pick of the St Leger third and eighth, Honolulu and Acapulco.

Anna Pavlova, winner of the Doonside Cup at Ayr, has been entered by Richard Fahey while Godolphin have three to choose from in Book Of Music, Laverock and Perfectperformance.

Other eyecatching possibles include Sir Michael Stoute's Ask who has been off the track since winning at Chester in May, Fairyhouse winner Arch Rebel and last year's runner-up Munsef.

(C) PA Sport