Dettori voices concern over high draw for leading Balmoral fancy Lord North
Frankie Dettori, who has bookmakers on red alert with a number of fancied rides on Qipco Champions Day, has issued a word of caution regarding Lord North, the 4-1 joint-favourite he partners in the Balmoral Handicap.
The layers have raised concerns about the Frankie Factor seducing punters across the Ascot card on Saturday, with four of his mounts possible favourites, but the star jockey is concerned about a high draw for last month’s Cambridgeshire winner in the concluding race.
In his Ladbrokes blog, Dettori said: “Lord North is a lovely, improving horse but I'm not blessed with the best draw; he’s drawn 20 of 20.
"Historically the low draws in handicaps have been more fruitful, so I’ll have to find a way to try to get involved. I'm confident about his ability but I’m not very happy with the draw."
The Dettori-ridden Stradivarius, Star Catcher and Advertise are others who head the markets in their respective contests, while he also partners fancied runners King Of Comedy and Coronet.
Dettori has also responded to the news that superstar mare Enable, who came agonisingly close to landing a historic third victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe this month, will remain in training at six.
"It is amazing that Enable will stay in training," he said. "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's a champion and we are going to try again.
"Obviously the Arc is the main target. I don’t know where else she will go yet but just knowing that she stays in training is massive."
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Published on 18 October 2019inBritish Champions Day
Last updated 13:50, 18 October 2019
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