George Margarson has admitted he is taking a trip “into unknown territory” with Young Mick and Imperial Guest this week.

A campaign over longer distances is being planned for smart handicapper Young Mick, while Imperial Guest is set to represent the Newmarket trainer in the 2,000 Guineas on Saturday.

Young Mick makes his seasonal debut against five rivals in Ascot's Sagaro Stakes at 3.55 tomorrow and Margarson said: “He is trying two miles for the first time.

“He was beaten a quarter of a length in the Ebor Handicap at York in 2006 and at the age of seven, there's no earthly reason why he won't handle two miles.

“His best form is over a mile and a half with a fast pace and he wants a test of stamina. There aren't many runners and they could crawl along, which could be to his advantage.”

Having signed off his juvenile campaign with victory in a six-furlong Listed race at Doncaster, Imperial Guest tackled a mile for the first time in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket on his seasonal debut, only to finish last of seven to Guineas favourite Delegator.

As a result, he is a 66-1 afterthought with the sponsors for the first Classic of the season.
Yet the affable Margarson, who has just 12 horses in his care at Graham Lodge Stables, says he can't fathom why the son of Group 1 winner Imperial Dancer didn't perform last time.

“We have left him in the Guineas because he has been working so well. I couldn't see him being out of the first four in the Craven, but he was so disappointing and I don't know why he got stirred up and sweated badly before the race — he ran nine times as a two-year-old and never turned a hair.

“He is a very laid-back horse and he should get a mile and a half on his pedigree, since his mother was a half-sister to a French Oaks
winner.”

Margarson, who saw his Speedfit Too beaten less than seven lengths by King Of Kings as a 200-1 shot in the 1998 Guineas and saddled Barathea Guest to a notable third behind Kings Best in the colt's mile Classic in 2000, added: “I would put Imperial Guest somewhere between those two on ability.

“He will work tomorrow under either John Egan or Tony Culhane, to determine if he runs, and if he does, he goes there with an each-way chance.”