Frankie Dettori bids to nail down Epsom Derby mount on Arrest at Chester

09 May 2023 , 14:56

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Frankie Dettori could find his Derby mount at Chester (Image: PA)

Frankie Dettori's backers will put the wheels in motion for a huge double as Arrest trials for the Derby at Epsom today.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained colt is a hot favourite for the Group 3 Boodles Chester Vase.

Dettori will wear the same Juddmonte colours he carried for one final win in Saturday's 2,000 Guineas on Chaldean.

By the same sire, all-time Flat legend Frankel, Arrest has won two of his four starts – and rounded off his juvenile campaign with a close second in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Connections hope with another winter on his back, he can do better still and book his place in next month's feature Classic.

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"The heights Arrest reached at two took us a bit by surprise," said Barry Mahon, racing manager for the late Khalid Abdullah's Juddmonte operation.

"Frankie has sat on the horse at home and thinks he has strengthened up. It would be the dream, after the phenomenal Guineas win with Chaldean, to give him a Derby ride.

"Both jockey and trainer certainly know how to win it."

Last year's renewal saw Juddmonte's runner Westover finish an unlucky in running third to Sir Michael Stoute's Desert Crown.

The trainer prepared the owners' last Derby hero Workforce, when he took it a record time and by one of the longest ever distances in 2010.

Dettori, who will bow out at the end of the season after a 35-year-career, finally landed the big race on 2007 victor Authorized and followed up eight years later riding Golden Horn.

The last Chester Vase runner participant to go on to Epsom glory was Wings Of Eagles in 2017.

Melissa Jones