Frankie Dettori talks Enable and Champions Day 2019 at Ascot
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Our ambassador Frankie Dettori talks about the return of Enable and Champions Day at Ascot in his latest Ladbrokes blog.
It’s amazing that Enable will stay in training. I left Paris with a sour taste but to have her back for one more year makes me so happy and not just me, the racing public as well.
She is a champion and we are going to try again. Obviously, theArc is the main target. I don’t know where else she will go yet but justknowing that she stays in training is massive!
I am really looking forward to Saturday at Ascot. My first ride is on Advertise in the Champions Sprint Stakes (1.35). He is a lovely horse, a good sprinter, and doesn’t mind a bit of rain.
There are 16 runners so it’s wide open, but I think he has a greatchance.
I am not worried about the ground for Stradivarius (Long Distance Cup – 2.10) because we will be racing on the inside track; although I have never raced on it.
He can cope with soft and I don’t think it will be any worse thansoft on the day. I love the horse so much and he has become the peoplesfavourite so I just hope he does his stuff.
It was a tough decision picking between Star Catcher and Anapurna in the Fillies & Mares. Anapurna won the Oaks and the Qatar Prix de Royallieu and she must be considered especially with the ground being soft. She is a good stayer and will be my main danger.
However, I have gone with Star Catcher because she has been great all year. It was very hard for me to choose but it is one of those situations that can’t be helped. I can only ride one horse but I guess I am blessed to have such a good choice.
In the QEII (3.20) I think King of Comedy can run a good race and the ground will suit him. He is a horse who likes to meet the ground; all his best races were at Sandown going up the hill. He ran very well in the St James’ Palace and he could spring a bit of a surprise here. It is a tough renewal and he is the correct price but I think he will run a nice race.
I ride Coronet in the Champion Stakes (4.20). She is an unbelievable horse. She is sweet, she tries, she has won two Group 1s, and she loves Ascot. With Magical and Addeybb in there, it’s going to be a very tough race. Magical is the one to beat as she loves the soft ground and the course.
That said, my horse doesn’t know how to run a bad race; she isalways in the first three. I am looking forward to this ride because she isgoing to stud after this.
My last ride of the day is on Lord North in the Balmoral Handicap (4.40). He is a lovely, improving horse. I am not blessed with the best draw; he’s drawn 20 of 20.
Historically the low draws in handicaps have been more fruitful soI’ll have to find a way to try to get involved. I am confident about hisability but I’m not very happy with the draw.
Frankie
