Derma Sotogake roars into Kentucky Derby reckoning

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Derma Sotogake dominated the UAE Derby – and booked his Kentucky Derby ticket – as Japanese raiders annexed the Group Two contest, providing the first four home.

Christophe Lemaire had the rail draw in the extended nine-furlong dirt contest and there was no hanging about on the Hidetaka Otonashi-trained son of American sire Mind Your Biscuits.

The lightly-raced colt had three dirt wins between a mile and nine furlongs in his home country, including taking a Group One at Kawasaki in November.

A staying-on third in the Saudi Derby, Lemaire put his stamina to good use in a race that very few got into.

Derma Sotogake (4-1) travelled very sweetly on the front end, followed by Dura Erede, with Continuar tracking the first two and it remained that way throughout, as the Aidan O’Brien-trained Cairo failed to live with them when they kicked off the back stretch.

The winner left little doubt and Lemaire had barely moved a muscle with two furlongs to run, and his mount strode impressively clear for a five-and-a-half-length success.

Lemaire, who plies his trade in Japan, said the win was as comfortable as it looked.

“I had a nice cruise, and in the straight he reacted well,” he said.

“I didn’t know where the other horses were, but when I turned round we were clear and I was able to enjoy the crowd.

“I was happy with his condition and thought two corners would suit him, but it was important that from the inside I got a good start.

“I think the Japanese horses (three-year-olds) are really good. It means something when you win a Derby by such a big margin.”

Otonashi said: “It went as we hoped, but I didn’t think he was that strong. It was a different jockey, different ground and a first time here.

“He will go straight to Kentucky now, and Christophe will probably ride him.”

Broome sweeps past Siskany for Dubai Gold Cup triumph

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Ryan Moore brilliantly timed his run to perfection as Broome ran down Siskany in a thrilling finish to the Dubai Gold Cup.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained seven-year-old has clocked up plenty of air miles on his travels since winning the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot in June.

Though subsequent sorties to North America, Ireland, France Japan and Doha had proved fruitless, Moore was back on board for the first time since the gelding’s fine fourth in Group One Sword Dancer at Saratoga in August.

Trying two miles for the first time since finishing last of 13 in the British Champions Long Distance Cup in October 2020, Broome’s stamina kicked in and he looked in need of every yard as Moore wore down William Buick’s mount in the dying strides of the Group Two contest.

The 2021 Ascot Gold Cup winner Subjectivist, who had pulled too hard on his comeback in Saudi Arabia, had clearly come on for that and turned for home in front, easing past Quickthorn, but was quickly passed by Buick’s mount, who kicked clear.

However, the Charlie Appleby-trained Siskany was just collared close home with the winner setting a new track record.

After unsaddling the 9-1 chance, Moore said: “He broke better and he travelled into it and just put his head down. He is a very brave horse – he’s a Group One winner and has got high-class form.

“The pace was strong and we just had to wait for a bit of room at the top of the straight.

“He is so brave, though. He put his head down and gave me everything and it is just a pleasure to ride a horse like him.

“I did fancy him at the distance, but you are never quite sure until you come up here and do it.

“He is such a brave horse and always give his best.”

He added: “It is one of the biggest nights of the year, no doubt about it. I’m always delighted to come here but it is always difficult to ride any winners, so I’m delighted to get one tonight.”

Ryan Moore on his way out to ride Broome
Ryan Moore on his way out to ride Broome (PA)

Representing Coolmore, MV Magnier said: “Ryan gave him a very good ride. Aidan had this panned out for him. I thought he was in trouble, but Ryan gave him a great ride. This horse has travelled all over the world and we are lucky to have him.

“You can never be sure that a horse like him will get two miles, but Aidan was.

“There are a lot of options now, including the Gold Cup and the Melbourne Cup, and remember he was very unlucky in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. It’s a good position to be in, having Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore.”

Appleby was far from disappointed with the runner-up’s effort. He said: “He travelled into it great and we were beaten by a class horse stepping up to two miles.

“William said when he went, he thought he’d put it to bed, but I think a mile and six is his trip going forward.”

Mark Johnston, who prepared Subjectivist when he scored by almost six lengths in 2021, said: “The next few days will be a bit stressful to see if he has come through it all OK. If he is good to go, though, it’ll be the Ascot Gold Cup next.”

Russell and Scudamore pay tribute to One For Arthur

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One For Arthur, who won the 2017 Grand National for Lucinda Russell, has died from Colic at the age of 14.

Owned by Belinda McClung and Deborah Thomson, One For Arthur raced under the name of the Two Golf Widows and delivered Scotland’s second success in the race following Rubstic’s victory in 1979.

Winner of Warwick’s Classic Chase, he went on to Aintree glory that same season under Derek Fox and while injury scuppered his follow-up bid the next year, he returned to finish sixth to Tiger Roll in 2019.

He was being primed for the 2020 National, but the race was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic and he was retired that November.

“He was everything a woman wants in a man,” said Russell. “He was brave, honest and kind.

“He was the ideal National horse. He was such an athlete, had loads of stamina, lots of bravery, loved the fences and took his time.

“He was just a fabulous horse to have and set the yard off, and hopefully he would be proud of what we are doing now. He was the springboard for our yard.

“He had a great retirement. He was 14 fitted a lot into his years.”

One For Arthur went on to have a second career in the show ring, in the care of Aisling Dwan, daughter of the Grand National winner’s breeder, John.

He competed at the Dublin Horse Show in August alongside Tiger Roll and returned to Scotland to take part in hunter trials under former work-rider Ailsa McClung.

Peter Scudamore, Russell’s partner and assistant at Arlarly House Stables, felt that his potential was unlocked by the women who adored him.

“It’s only just dawning on us how important he was to us,” said Scudamore. “What was so lovely was that all the girls were around him.

“The Two Golf Widows are wonderful characters and then obviously Lucinda trained him.

“Ailsa McClung looked after him at home and rode him at home. Then Jamie Duff and Erin Walker played a huge part in looking after him.

“Basically, he was owned by women, trained by a woman and looked after by girls all the time and I feel very sad for them, because they adored him and gave him a most magnificent life.

One For Arthur’s owners Belinda McClung (centre) and Deborah Thomson with trainer Lucinda Russell (left) with the trophy
One For Arthur’s owners Belinda McClung (centre) and Deborah Thomson with trainer Lucinda Russell (left) with the trophy (Ian Rutherford/PA)

“He had a good life, but it is they who will miss him, because they adored him.

“He came back to Dumfries just before Christmas to Ailsa and she took him out hunting and cross country and he loved it. He was a great character.”

One For Arthur earned £622,437 in prize-money and won seven times, and while he will be remembered for his Aintree heroics, it is his character and gentle demeanour that he will be most fondly remembered for by those who looked after him.

One For Arthur and Derek Fox jump the last in the 2017 Grand National
One For Arthur and Derek Fox jump the last in the 2017 Grand National (Niall Carson/PA)

Scudamore added: “I think the women surrounding him saw his character more than I did to begin with, but then I just watched him blossom towards that race.

“I really do feel that, because of the love and the adoration the girls gave him, I feel his full character came through. He knew he’d won. He reacted off the adoration he was given.”

Lone Star proves apt winner of Lady Buttons heat for Phil Kirby

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Lone Star honoured a former heroine of the Phil Kirby stable when winning the Racing TV Go North Lady Buttons Mares’ Hurdle Series Final at Musselburgh.

The race is named after Kirby’s popular and successful mare, a Grade Two winner who took 15 races throughout her career and was victorious in bumpers, over hurdles and fences.

Lone Star has been on the up all season, winning four of her last five starts by good margins, including a course-and-distance victory earlier in the month.

Under Joe Williamson she was an easy winner again this time, pulling away to win by a decisive nine lengths as the 3-1 favourite despite having gone up 10lb in the handicap since her last run.

“She’s really good, she’s progressing all the time,” Kirby said.

“It’s brilliant to win Lady Buttons’ race,  that’s an extra bonus. We set out our stall out for this race and it’s nice when it works out.

“For the last five or six runs, she’s just been getting better and better, I’m not sure where the end is yet but she keeps winning for now.

“She’s going the right way, where the end of it all is we’ll find out as we go along, but at the moment she’s going in the right direction.”

A step up in grade could now be on the agenda for the six-year-old, with the Listed bearrene.com Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on April 20 pencilled in already.

Kirby said: “There’s the mares’ Listed race at Cheltenham in late April, there’s a novice there that’s probably where we’ll go next.”

Kestrel hits Hereford target after pre-race drama

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Kestrel Valley brought trainer Kerry Lee both pleasure and pain in victory at Hereford on Friday.

Lee had led the nine-year-old down the chute to the track ahead of the Follow @bresbet On Twitter Novices’ Handicap Chase, but the mare spooked and the handler was pulled over, landing on her face.

Though shaken and sporting nasty grazes to her right eye and hands, she recovered her composure to welcome home the 6-5 favourite, who cruised to a 34-length success.

Lee said: “It is not her fault. It is just an occupational hazard. I went to lead her on to the course and she basically launched and took me with her. I hit these lovely rubber tiles and with your cheekbone, it can hurt a bit.”

She added: “I’m fine. At least she won. I’ll be all right. Isn’t it brilliant to see her doing well? She is really enjoying racing.

“It was nice to put back-to-back wins together. I knew she was well, knew she was a happy horse and we came here rather than Exeter on Sunday. It was either a 16-grand race or a nine-grand race. What are you going to do?

“We are still in 0-100 company and we can’t get carried away. It is difficult to start getting too confident. It is good to get a filly on an upward curve.”

On Ladies Day, Venetia Williams was on the mark with Jikala, who looked to be sauntering to success in the Bresbet: Back To Bookmaking Juvenile Maiden Hurdle under 7lb claimer Ned Fox, only to idle at the end of the two-mile affair.

Jikala/Hereford
Jikala did well to hold on to give Venetia Williams another win at her local track (Simon Milham/PA)

After Jikala held off Charles St to score by a short head, Williams said: “She didn’t enjoy herself at Sandown last time, which was a stronger race. When they turned for home and kicked in deep ground, she didn’t enjoy it.

“We thought we’d come here today and kick on.”

Anthony Honeyball’s string is in great heart and I Giorni followed up her recent third in a novice hurdle at Wincanton in the Cazoo Mares’ Novices’ Handicap under Rex Dingle, while David Bridgewater struck in the two-mile-five-furlong handicap chase with Pawpaw.

On The Blind Side shocks Newbury rivals to head Henderson treble

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Nicky Henderson has often said his horses are not suited to deep ground, but that was not the case at Newbury on Friday when the veteran On The Blind Side highlighted a 634-1 treble for the Seven Barrows handler.

Henderson got his afternoon off to a flier with The Carpenter, who looks another very smart prospect for the Owners Group.

Off the track for 701 days before winning on his hurdling debut, he followed up 40 days later as the 15-8 favourite in the Bet In-Play On Racing At BetVictor Novices’ Hurdle, pulling 11 lengths clear of Sound And Fury.

While that was something of an armchair ride for Nico de Boinville, he was seen to greater effect on Russian Ruler (100-30) in the BetVictor Gamble Responsibly Handicap Hurdle.

Russian Ruler (right) stayed on strongly to win at Newbury
Russian Ruler (right) stayed on strongly to win at Newbury (Zac Goodwin/PA)

The six-year-old looked a nice prospect in his bumper days, but had raced rather keenly in recent starts and underwent wind surgery in January.

He was dropped out this time and De Boinville was last to make a move, eventually winning by a cosy four lengths from Arqoob.

One which really put a smile on Henderson’s face, though, was the victory of the 11-year-old On The Blind Side, sent off at 50-1 having been pulled up in both his previous races this season.

Without a win since January 2021, he prevailed by a neck in a thrilling finish.

On The Blind Side returns under Nico De Boinville
On The Blind Side returns under Nico De Boinville (Zac Goodwin/PA)

“It’s been a tremendous afternoon, full of surprises, but it was especially nice to see On The Blind Side win as he must have been verging on retirement,” said Henderson.

“He’s been such a great servant and I fully admit we’d lost him, but we’ve been playing games with him and well done the team at home. We trained him completely differently but he was 50-1 which tells you everything.

“Nico was brilliant on all of them. Russian Ruler, the boys that own him have been brilliant and we’ve have a torrid time with him, so I hope this is a turning point. When he won his bumper I genuinely thought he was my Supreme horse, but he’s been disappointing.”

The Carpenter looks to have a very bright future
The Carpenter looks to have a very bright future (Zac Goodwin/PA)

He added: “It was the same with The Carpenter, I’ve had him a long time but now finally he’s won two and he looks to have a future. I’d imagine they’ll both go novice chasing next season.

“Nico always says our horses won’t go in sticky ground, but this was just wet today and they slopped through it.

“I know of one man who put them all in a treble, he must be stark raving bonkers!”

Henderson headed for a few days away after Cheltenham and given four of his last five runners have won, some connected to the yard have suggested he takes off again.

“The most important thing to say is I’ve been away since Sunday and the team at home have done a brilliant job, clearly,” said Henderson.

“I’ve had Michael Buckley (owner of Constitution Hill) on the phone already asking me to go away the week before Aintree!”

As for Cheltenham, which bar Constitution Hill’s cakewalk consisted of six others making the first four, Henderson said: “All is good since last week, I had a good look round last night and I’m pleased with the way they look.

“We’ve had to correct a few things here and there, but now we can rock and roll on to Aintree. We only had one winner but plenty hit the crossbar and you can’t complain, it happens there.

“We won the one we had to win. Shishkin would have been nice, but it’s onwards and upwards.”

Christian and Geri Horner own Lift Me Up
Christian and Geri Horner own Lift Me Up (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Red Bull Formula One boss Christian Horner and his Spice Girl wife Geri were on hand to see Lift Me Up triumph in their colours in the closing Lengthen The Odds At BetVictor Open Hunters’ Chase.

Trained by Maxine Filby and ridden by James King, Lift Me Up – who shares his name with a 1999 hit for the singer – prevailed by a length on his first start under rules.

Christian Horner told Racing TV: “It was a great performance. It was supposed to be a weekend off for me, but it’s great to see him running so well.

“He’s obviously got a lot of potential, which is exciting to see. He’s a lovely horse so we’re very proud to have him. He’s a gentle giant.

“It’s my first time at Newbury, so to get a winner under rules is wonderful.”

Bryan Cooper calls time on riding career

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Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning rider Bryan Cooper has announced his retirement from the saddle with immediate effect.

The 30-year-old enjoyed the highlight of his career when partnering the Gordon Elliott-trained Don Cossack to a four-and-a-half-length success at Prestbury Park in 2016, having also landed Down Royal’s Champion Chase earlier in the campaign.

He bows out with a clutch of Grade One victories to his credit, and nine Cheltenham Festival victories overall.

Mrs Milner was a Festival scorer for Bryan Cooper in 2021
Mrs Milner was a Festival scorer for Bryan Cooper in 2021 (Tim Goode/PA)

In a statement posted on Twitter, he said: “After much careful thought and consideration for some time, I am officially announcing my retirement from race riding with immediate effect.

“I’ve been lucky to have had a wonderful career over the past 14 years as a jockey. To my family, the owner, trainers and stable staff who have supported me throughout my whole career, I can’t thank you enough for some incredible days.

“It is time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for me.”

Cooper returns with Triumph Hurdle hero Our Conor
Cooper returns with Triumph Hurdle hero Our Conor (Joe Giddens/PA)

Our Conor was another Cheltenham winner for Cooper, landing the 2013 Triumph Hurdle in effortless style, while Don Poli, Apple’s Jade and Road To Respect were other key horses in his career.

The last-named trio were all owned by Gigginstown House Stud, for whom Cooper was retained rider for three years between 2014 and 2017.

Son of trainer Tom Cooper, he claimed the title of Ireland’s champion conditional rider in the 2010-11 season, but suffered some terrible luck with injuries, most notably breaking his leg in a fall from Clarcam in the 2014 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – an issue which kept him on the sidelines for seven months.

Apple's Jade was a multiple Grade One winner for Cooper
Apple’s Jade was a multiple Grade One winner for Cooper (David Davies/PA)

Cooper enjoyed his best Irish season in 2015-16 when he rode 94 winners and he had partnered 26 winners this term.

He did not ride at last week’s Cheltenham Festival and was unseated by Farceur Du Large on his final ride at Naas on March 12.

His final winner came six days earlier at Leopardstown when he partnered Wa Wa to win a handicap hurdle.

Don Cossack’s trainer Elliott was among the first to take to Twitter to wish Cooper well in the future.

He said: “Happy Retirement @92bryan92. We’ve had some great days together. Best of luck for the future from all of us at Cullentra House Stables.”

Boughey looking to Totally Charming for first winner in Ireland

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Totally Charming bids to provide Classic-winning trainer George Boughey with his first ever victory on Irish soil in the Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire at the Curragh.

The Newmarket handler saddled 136 winners in Britain last season, only his fourth with a licence, with Cachet’s 1000 Guineas success at Newmarket being the clear highlight.

But despite his rapid rise through the training ranks, Boughey has sent only three horses across the Irish Sea and none have managed to return home a winner.

That could all change this weekend, however, with Totally Charming a clear favourite for the €100,000 feature on the first day of the Irish Flat turf season.

Boughey said: “It’s a hard place to go Ireland! We’ve left them to it for a while, but it’s nice to go there with a horse that’s got a favourite’s chance.”

Totally Charming won four times in 2022, with his final victory of the campaign coming on heavy ground at Doncaster in October suggesting the forecast testing conditions on Saturday will hold no fears.

Boughey admits a wide starting berth in stall 22 is not ideal, but booking of champion jockey Colin Keane a clear positive.

“He’s travelled over well and we’re pleased with how he’s been training really,” the Hamilton Road handler added.

George Boughey has high hopes for Totally Charming
George Boughey has high hopes for Totally Charming (David Davies/PA)

“He’s a horse who has shown his form on very soft ground at Doncaster at the end of the year and that was kind of the reason we decided to go to Ireland, rather than stay on the conventional route at home and go for the Lincoln at Doncaster next weekend.

“We entered him for the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton a couple of weeks ago, but he’s a pretty good horse fresh. He’s a horse who probably just needed another bit of work, it’s a long season ahead and we don’t want to go to the well too many times.”

Totally Charming is joined on the trip from Newmarket by the William Haggas-trained Lattam.

The son of Lope De Vega won his first two starts at Thirsk and Haydock last summer before disappointing at Yarmouth and York, but Haggas feels he has plenty in his favour.

“Lattam is very well. I think he will enjoy the ground and the straight mile will suit so we are looking forward to running him,” he said.

“His form did tail off a bit last season, but he seems to be in good form this spring and I hope there is some improvement in the tank. That is what you are hoping with horses like him at this time of year and while he still has a bit of improvement to come in his coat, he is pretty fit and well.

“We’ve had the odd winner in Ireland without having many runners over there, but I felt the ground could be important to Lattam and I can’t guarantee we’d get his ground for our own Lincoln (at Doncaster on Saturday week), so we pointed him to the Curragh.

“Chris Hayes rides him and he knows the time of day. We have used Chris a bit over here and he rode a nice winner for us at Naas last year and a Listed winner for us at Dundalk previously.

“The owners are all set to go and are looking forward to a great day.”

Emporio winning at the Curragh
Emporio winning at the Curragh (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

The home team is headed by Donnacha O’Brien’s previous course winner Emporio, who will be ridden by 7lb claimer Paddy Harnett.

O’Brien said: “He handles soft ground and is quite a high-class horse, probably a stakes horse, but a mile on soft ground is no problem and there are no problems with the conditions.

“I suppose to win a Lincoln, you probably have to be a stakes horse – I think he’s Listed class and we’ll find out more after he runs.”

Other notable contenders include Cosmic Vega, who represents the new training team of Mick Halford and Tracey Collins, and Michael O’Callaghan’s well-travelled top-weight I Am Superman.

Ado McGuinness, who won the 2020 Irish Lincolnshire, has declared no less than 10 runners, with No More Porter and Celtic Crown among them.

Algiers win would set World in motion in for Crisfords

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Algiers bids to cap a fantastic winter campaign at Meydan by providing Ed and Simon Crisford with a dream success in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday.

It is three years since Ed teamed up with father Simon to become Britain’s first officially licensed training partnership.

Together the pair have already enjoyed notable highs with the likes of Century Dream, Jadoomi and Without A Fight – but victory for Algiers in this weekend’s $12million showpiece would be by far and away their biggest to date.

Ed (left) and Simon Crisford at Epsom
Ed (left) and Simon Crisford at Epsom (John Walton/PA)

“Just to have a runner in race like this is so difficult, so to have a proper live contender with a good chance is fantastic,” said Ed Crisford.

“If we can run well or go and win this race it would be a dream come true, but I think we’ll have to let the horse do the talking now. We can’t do much more, so let’s see what happens.”

Algiers has established himself as a major contender by winning the first two rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge on the Meydan dirt by six and six and a half lengths respectively.

Connections had the option of taking in round three on ‘Super Saturday’, while a tilt at the Saudi Cup was also mooted, but the Crisfords elected to keep their powder dry for the World Cup.

“We’re very pleased with Algiers – his preparation has been great,” Crisford added.

“At the moment we’re happy we decided against running in round three. You’ve got to take these races very seriously and if round three had taken even just one or two per cent away from him running to his full potential in the World Cup, we wouldn’t forgive ourselves.

“He’s fresh and well. He’s had seven weeks between round two and the World Cup, he’s done extremely well for it and we couldn’t be happier going into this race.”

While pleased with his stable star’s condition, Crisford is under no illusions about the task in hand.

Chief among his rivals is last year’s winner Country Grammer, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori and returns to defend his crown off the back of a second successive narrow defeat in the Saudi Cup.

This year Bob Baffert’s charge was narrowly beaten in Riyadh by Panthalassa, who is again in opposition and heads a formidable Japanese challenge.

Crisford – whose father played an instrumental role in the inauguration of Dubai World Cup night during his time working for Sheikh Mohammed – said: “It’s a very solid race and you have top-class horses from around the world. You have last year’s winner, the Saudi Cup first and second, the Saudi Cup winner from two years ago (Emblem Road) and some proper dirt horses from Japan.

“It is a very deep field, but we’re right up there on ratings and the way he’s been winning, albeit against local horses, has been very impressive.

“He’s drawn in stall 13, but the first three in the betting are very wide in 13, 14 (Country Grammer) and 15 (Panthalassa), so there should be a lot of pace outside.

“Our horse has won twice on the track, so we know he goes on that dirt and that counts for a lot.”

Dettori turns to Country Grammer for fairytale farewell to Dubai

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As he prepares for his final Dubai World Cup ride on the 2022 winner Country Grammer, the magnitude of the occasion this weekend will not be lost on Frankie Dettori.

With so many special Dubai moments adorning his glittering record, the Italian will be seeking a fifth triumph in the $12million spectacular aboard a horse he says “is all heart and will run to the end”.

Dettori’s first World Cup victory came aboard Dubai Millennium in the 2000 renewal, adding further successes with Moon Ballad (2003) and Electrocutionist (2006) at the race’s original venue of Nad Al Sheba before it moved to Meydan in 2010.

Having enjoyed a long association with Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation, Dettori has seen the race’s growth in stature first hand and ranks his inaugural winner as the best he has partnered.

Dubai Millennium was Dettori's first World Cup winner
Dubai Millennium was Dettori’s first World Cup winner (Martyn Hayhow/PA)

He said: “I worked for Godolphin for 18 years and spent many months with my wife and with my kids here as they were growing up.

“I’ve seen it develop from Cigar at the first World Cup at Nad Al Sheba to this impressive course with its fantastic grandstand that Sheikh Mohammed created.

“Dubai Millennium is the best horse I’ve ridden. Now I’m not riding for Godolphin, but there are so many great memories.”

Dettori teams up with the Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer for a second successive year, having come in for the winning ride when Flavien Prat opted to partner eventual runner-up Hot Rod Charlie 12 months ago.

Despite suffering from jet lag, Dettori rode the horse in work at 4am in midweek and is full of hope of a title defence despite a high draw in stall 14, with only habitual front-runner Panthalassa on his outside.

Country Grammer was beaten three-quarters of a length by that Japanese-trained contender on his latest start in the Saudi Cup, but the extra furlong here is a factor in his favour.

Dettori said: “Last year we thought Life Is Good was unbeatable, but at the four (hundred metre) pole he collapsed.

“This time it won’t be easy from the 14 draw and it is a competitive race, but one thing for sure is that Country Grammer is all heart and I know he will run to the end. I can’t say a bad word about this horse because he’s all guts.”

Country Grammer has shown a tendency to hit a flat spot and get outpaced midway through his races, and Dettori added: “In the San Antonio he got outpaced, but he doesn’t know how to give up.

“Right now, I’m just thinking about getting the job done on him.”

Dettori produced a brilliant ride aboard Trawlerman at York last year
Dettori produced a brilliant ride aboard Trawlerman at York last year (Mike Egerton/PA)

Dettori also rides for Baffert aboard Worcester in the UAE Derby and Hopkins in the Golden Shaheen, while Caspar Fownes’ Senor Toba is his mount in the 12-furlong Sheema Classic and Raaed, trained in Saudi Arabia, is his Al Quoz Sprint hope.

His old ally John Gosden – now training in partnership with son Thady – has two challengers, with Lord North bidding for a third Dubai Turf verdict and Ebor winner Trawlerman, who benefitted from an excellent Dettori ride in winning at York last year, going for glory in the Dubai Gold Cup after finishing down the field in Riyadh last month.

The rider said: “I expect Trawlerman to improve from his last run, then there are Bob Baffert’s three on the dirt which is their bread and butter.

“I rode Lord North on the training track on Thursday morning and he’s in good form ahead of the Turf. I’ve also picked up a ride for Caspar Fownes in the Sheema Classic.”

Royal Ascot has been a happy hunting ground over the years for Dettori
Royal Ascot has been a happy hunting ground over the years for Dettori (Adam Davy/PA)

Dettori has been plying his trade in America over the winter as the beginning of his farewell tour and expects to return there next week to ride in trials for the Kentucky Derby – although only a “superstar” is likely to prevent him from riding at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting in May.

He explained: “My agent in the States, Ron Anderson, does everything for me, but unless I find a superstar there, I expect I’ll be back in Newmarket to ride Chaldean in the Guineas.

“Then it will be my last Royal Ascot and that will be very emotional, followed by more touring and a return to Newmarket and Ascot in the fall and another Arc.

“After Champions Day, I shall make my way to California and prepare for the Breeders’ Cup. The plan is then to go to Australia or Japan, but I’m keeping all options open and Santa Anita could be (the place for) my last ride.”