Awesome Champions Day racecard at Ascot takes shape but Frankie Dettori to miss final race of blockbuster day
FRANKIE DETTORI will sign off from British racing with a strong book of rides at Ascot on Saturday.
The legendary Italian will not ride in all six races, however, as he’ll sign off in the Champion Stakes in the penultimate race.
The 52-year-old recently announced a shock u-turn on his retirement plans and will continue riding full-time in the US next year.
Despite the potential allure of Wesley Ward-trained horses at Royal Ascot next year, Dettori has maintained that Saturday will be his final rides in Britain.
It’ll be quite the send off too, as Dettori looks set to have a strong chance of some winning rides.
He is currently jocked up on two horses, the first being Trawlerman in the Long Distance Cup.
He’s won a pair of small-field races in Britain this year by 31 lengths and is totally unexposed as a stayer.
Saturday represents a big step up in grade, but his recent figures mean he should not be underestimated.
Dettori will also partner Free Wind, last seen finishing down the field in the Arc at Longchamp.
The Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot should be more suitable, however, and she’s another with a big chance.
Dettori will have three more rides on the card and he will almost certainly ride Kinross should he opt to head to the Champions Sprint.
He has options elsewhere but with the recent and forecast rain, this may turn into the best option for him.
King Of Steel is another possible for Dettori, with Kia Joorabchian wanting to hand him his final ever ride in Britain.
This year’s Derby second has been running well in defeat since but he wouldn’t be suited by a soft-ground Ascot.
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