STRAD TUNED
Dettori hoping to hit the bookies for six
BOOKMAKERS are bracing themselves for a thumping from Frankie Dettori at Ascot after the Italian suggested he was unfazed about the expected heavy ground when partnering Stradivarius in the Long Distance Cup tomorrow. And to add to bookies woes, four of Dettori’s six rides on Qipco British Champions Day are favourites. “Stradivarius can cope with soft and I don’t think it will be any worse than soft on the day,” said Dettori. “I love the horse so much and he has become the people’s favourite, so I just hope he does his stuff.” Unlike Dettori, trainer John Gosden is concerned about the ground and will give the five-year-old the green light only on the morning of the race.
Stradivarius is priced at 4-7 with Ladbrokes. His rival, Kew Gardens was also cut into 9-2 from 6-1.
Starcatcher, Dettori’s mount in the Fillies & Mares Stakes, was also backed down to 13-8 from 2-1.
Speaking on his Ladbrokes blog, Dettori said: “It was a tough decision picking between Star Catcher and Anapurna in the race. Anapurna won the Oaks and the Prix de Royallieu and she must be considered, especially with the ground being soft.
“She’s a good stayer and will be my main danger. However, I have gone with Star Catcher because she has been great all year.
“I am blessed to have such a good choice.”
Enable might have captured Dettori’s heart but Coronet, his mount in the Champion Stakes, is also one of Dettori’s favourites.
“She’s unbelievable,” he said. “She is sweet, she tries, she has won two Group Ones, and she loves Ascot.
“But with Magical and Addeybb in there, it’s going to be a very tough.”