Frankie Dettori set for late Champions Day switch on huge ride – and why he’s missing the last race at Ascot
FRANKIE DETTORI looks like he could be set for a late switch on a huge ride at Champions Day.
The world's most famous jockey has been booked on John & Thady Gosden's Inspiral for the QEII Stakes over a mile.
But with a deluge of rain set to hammer the Ascot track before Saturday, her price has drifted massively on the Betfair Exchange, out to as much as 34 (33-1).
The star four-year-old miler has won with soft in the going description before, most recently in August's Group 1 Jacques Le Marois in France.
But there's no doubt her preferred surface is good - something which may be unavailable at the Berkshire track if Storm Babet, along with its red 'danger to life warning', hits.
It means Hector Crouch could be in the firing line.
He is currently jocked up on Angel Bleu, according to the BHA's official site.
Crouch won on the Marc Chan-owned four-year-old colt at Goodwood and Haydock this year.
But Dettori - who was recently snubbed for a Melbourne Cup ride - was in the saddle for two Group 1 and one Group 2 wins back in 2021, coming on soft, heavy and very soft.
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Should the Gosdens pull Inspiral and leave her fresh for a tilt at the Breeders' Cup Mile next month (4-1), then Dettori could jock Crouch off Angel Bleu, who's as short as 14-1 for the QEII.
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Dettori and Chan are big mates and the businessman wants the Italian to ride Kinross in Hong Kong in December.
Aside from that, Dettori's rides look pretty much set in stone for what he says will be his final day racing in Britain.
He'll kick off with 16-1 Trawlerman in the Long Distance Cup before getting on 2-1 fav Kinross in the Sprint.
Dettori looks set to then partner the Gosdens' 4-1 joint-fav Free Wind in the Fillies and Mares before teaming up with Amo Racing's King Of Steel (9-2) in the Champion Stakes.
Racegoers will notice Dettori's name missing from the Balmoral Handicap, the final race on the day.
That's because he will be getting ready for his press conference and cannot make the race.
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