Dettori hoping Horn on tune in Derby

Frankie Dettori, who finally broke his Epsom Derby jinx in 2007 with Authorized, could well be celebrating a second success in the Epsom classic on Saturday on the firm favourite Golden Horn.

The John Gosden-trained colt shot to the head of the Derby's ante-post betting on the strength of a compelling victory in one of the key warm-up events, the Dante at York last month.

That performance, with one of his main rivals, Gosden's second runner Jack Hobbs in his slipstream, was two-and-a-half furlongs shy of Saturday's trip, but Dettori is convinced his mount's stamina won't be found wanting.

"The same question keeps coming up. Will he stay? My gut feeling says yes, so it's fingers crossed now as his preparation has gone well," the Italian having his first Derby ride since 2011 told At The Races this week.

Interestingly Dettori was on board Jack Hobbs in the Dante, and so has a decent idea of Golden Horn's prospects.

"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. I have lots of faith in the horse."

Resurgent Dettori, who since his last Derby ride was sacked by Godolphin and banned for drugs, is facing sleep deprivation in the run-up to Saturday.

"It brings back those memories of 2007 (Authorized's Derby success) when I didn't sleep for two weeks, so you can imagine how I feel right now."

Gosden like Dettori has claimed the turf's blue riband on one occasion, with Benny The Dip back in 1997.

The duo's prospects of hitting the classic bulls eye for a second time were enhanced by the unfortunate absence of ante-post third favourite Zawraq.

Dermot Weld's budding star came through his last piece of work in style but had to be scratched from calculations after pulling up lame.

- O'Brien's remarkable record -

Jack Hobbs' participation meanwhile could be dependant on Epsom missing forecast rain on Friday.

Gosden explained: "The key thing is these thunderstorms that are set to be around Epsom tomorrow. They could contain as much as 5mm which would change everything but they could well miss Epsom all together.

"If they miss, with all this drying weather, the ground would suit Golden Horn but I would have to walk the track on Saturday morning before making a decision about the participation of Jack Hobbs."

Aidan O'Brien has won the past three runnings with Australia, Ruler of the World and Camelot - but one by one the master Irish trainer's top 2015 candidates have fallen off the Derby radar.

That's left him fielding what at least on paper appears a sub standard hand in Hans Holbein, winner in workmanlike fashion of his trial at Chester, Giovanni Canaletto, beaten on his return at the Curragh, and Lingfield scorer Kilimanjaro.

But given his remarkable record in a race he has won five times in total writing off his chances of a sixth win would be foolhardy in the extreme.

Dettori for one is wary of the O'Brien trio.

"Their forte is that they are all good stayers so I'm sure they are going to make a race of it.

"The Chester Vase winner (Hans Holbein) looked a good stayer. You can never dismiss Aidan O'Brien, he's a master and whatever he runs you have to respect."

Andrew Balding, whose father Ian is part of Derby folklore as the trainer of the mighty 1971 winner Mill Reef, runs 16-1 shot Elm Park, who has work to do after following home the Gosden pair at York.

The 12-runner field is completed by Epicuris, flying the flag for France, Storm The Stars, Success Days, R$ogue Runner, Moheet, and rank outsider Carbon Dating.
Source: AFP