Michael Bell's Motivator is to bypass the UltimatePoker.com 2000 Guineas and will now start his three-year-old career in the totesport Dante Stakes at York on May 12.
The unbeaten Montjeu colt pleased his trainer in his work this morning but he and owners the Royal Ascot Racing Club have decided it is in the horse's best interests to miss the first Classic of the season.
Motivator was partnered by Johnny Murtagh as he worked over a mile on the Summer Gallop at Newmarket this morning along with recent Doncaster winner Cool Panic.
Although he pulled some six lengths clear, Murtagh, who is committed to riding the colt this season, felt he may prove better over further than a mile.
The Club's racing manager Harry Herbert explained: "This was Motivator's first serious piece of work of the year and we wanted to get a guideline from Johnny, who was keen to ride him today and has committed himself to an association throughout the season which is what we were looking for.
"Johnny got off Motivator and said that he was a horse who will take some beating in the Arc, and described him as a very serious middle-distance performer.
"We feel he is a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half horse and have sat down and decided that he will not now go for the 2000 Guineas and instead be aimed at the Dante."
