Lady Aurelia passes Dettori test with impressive workout

Lady Aurelia was reported in prime form for her Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes showdown after scorching the turf at York on Friday.

Frankie Dettori was delighted to be back on board the crack American sprinter and is looking forward to her mouthwatering clash with Battaash next Friday.

He partnered the American filly in a solo workout over around four furlongs and was impressed with her speed.

"She felt good," said Dettori, who won the Queen Mary Stakes by seven lengths on Lady Aurelia at Royal Ascot last year but was sidelined by injury when she scored an impressive victory in the King's Stand Stakes there this season.

"It's a long time since I rode her but she hasn't lost her speed and she always gives you the wow factor when you ride her. She's ultra quick and she really enjoyed herself this morning.

"She was a wonderful two-year-old last year, very quick, and it was an amazing performance at Ascot."

The Wesley Ward-trained Lady Aurelia, on whom Dettori also won the Prix Morny at Deauville last summer, faces a serious challenge in the Nunthorpe, which is also the target for Battaash, an emphatic winner of the King George Stakes at Goodwood.

"Battaash is the horse I've got to beat," Dettori said. "He brings a lot to the table and it will be a great race.

"But there's not just him, there is a lot of strength in depth in the race, and Lady Aurelia has to bring all her best weapons and be at her very best to win it."

Dettori partnered Ward's Lowther Stakes supplementary entry Happy Like A Fool in a separate workout on the Knavesmire, accompanied by Elizabeth Darcy (James Sullivan), who is being aimed at the Roses Stakes.

The jockey is also looking forward to getting back on board King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Enable on Thursday.

The three-year-old, who landed the Oaks and Irish Oaks earlier this summer, was among nine fillies and mares confirmed for the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Friday, a race she goes into as favourite for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

"I rode her in work last week and she's in good form," said Dettori. "She's taken this year by storm by winning two Classics and the King George and I'm really looking forward to riding her. This is the next stepping stone and hopefully if everything goes well we'll aim towards the Arc.

"She's entitled to be favourite on what she's done so far, she's set a very good benchmark."

Derby third Cracksman will have his first run since finishing second in the Irish Derby in Wednesday's Betway Great Voltigeur Stakes.

"He's had a break," said Dettori. "He's had a pretty tough season and the break has done him the world of good. The Great Voltigeur seems to be the obvious race. It's nice to see him coming back."

Coolmore Nunthorpe card and betting

Darley Yorkshire Oaks card and betting