Derby hopeful Dettori wary of familiar enemy
JOCKEY Frankie Dettori, who is due to ride favourite Golden Horn in Saturday’s Investec Derby at Epsom, expects the biggest challenge to come from his mount’s stablemate Jack Hobbs.
Dettori admits to slight uncertainty over Golden Horn’s stamina, despite finishing second to the colt when aboard fellow John Gosden-trained Jack Hobbs in last month’s Dante Stakes at York.
“He is favourite, we know what he’s made of,” Dettori said of Golden Horn. “Will he stay? My gut feeling says yes, so it’s fingers crossed now as his preparation has gone well.
“I’m scared of Jack Hobbs. The horse has improved since the Dante and he stays well. The Derby is the Derby but my horse won the best trial and won it convincingly.”
Dettori is also wary of Aidan O’Brien’s bid for a fourth consecutive Derby success, despite the trainer unexpectedly missing fancied potential runners Gleneagles and Found. “Their forte is that they are all good stayers so I’m sure they are going to make a race of it,” added three-time champion jockey Dettori. “You can never dismiss Aidan O’Brien, he’s a master and whatever he runs you have to respect.”
Unbeaten Zawraq, meanwhile, has emerged as a doubt for the Classic after suffering an injury scare during a workout yesterday.
Connections intend to monitor the Dermot Weld-trained horse, who is among the favourites, before deciding whether he can take his place.