BOOKIES have slashed the odds on Frankie Dettori winning the Derby – but ITV Racing star Francesca Cumani isn’t so sure.
Dettori hacked up on Juddmonte sensation Arrest in the Chester Vase, winning the Group 3 trial by an eased down six-and-a-half lengths.
"If we get a firm ground Oaks I think it's a different picture."@francescacumani has some doubts over Savethelastdance and Arrest
#ITVRacing | @ChesterRaces pic.twitter.com/Y86kxtPhdC
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 10, 2023
Westover was arguably an unlucky third in the Epsom feature last year in the same silks.
And a win in the world’s biggest Flat race would be a fitting send off for the world’s most famous jockey in his final season in the saddle.
Bookies reacted to Arrest’s thumping win by cutting him to 4-1 favourite, supplanting previous fav Auguste Rodin after he flopped in the 2000 Guineas.
Betfair‘s Barry Orr said: “Frankie lit up Chester on his final ride at the track and he shot to the head of the Derby betting.
“Bookies have taken a baton to his price, smashing him from 10-1 to 4-1.”
For his part, Dettori is dreaming of one final Derby triumph to make it three in all.
But speaking on ITV, Cumani, who once admitting swooning over Dettori growing up, highlighted a potential fly in the ointment.
The going for Arrest’s Chester win was officially described as soft.
Cumani reckons Arrest might be a different horse with different ground next month – and said the same goes for huge Oaks fav Savethelastdance.
She said: “Take nothing away from Savethelastdance, she won by 22 lengths so you can’t argue with that.
“But earlier on the card we had a five-furlong race where they finished strung out.
“Ryan Moore said they went a solid tempo, she bided her time and clearly relished the ground.
“I’m just saying, if we get a firm ground Oaks I think it’s a different pictures, same with arrest.”
Another wide-margin winner in testing conditions!
Arrest eases to the Boodles Chester Vase Stakes
Will he be @FrankieDettori's final Derby ride?#ITVRacing | @ChesterRaces | @thadygosden | @JuddmonteFarms pic.twitter.com/n6XLxQxbUt
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) May 10, 2023
