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Dream team: Mullins snaps up Dettori for Cesarewitch hotpot Buildmeupbuttercup

The scenes at the Curragh in 2016 when Wicklow Brave and Frankie Dettori provided Willie Mullins with his breakthrough Classic success
More kissing on Saturday? Frankie Dettori and Willie Mullins, seen here after Wicklow Brave won the Irish St Leger in 2016, team up with Buildmeupbuttercup in the Emirates CesarewitchCredit: Caroline Norris

Frankie Dettori has been snapped up by Willie Mullins to ride red-hot favourite Buildmeupbuttercup, who is reported by Ireland's champion jumps trainer to be in flying form at home, in Saturday's Emirates Cesarewitch Stakes at Newmarket.

The world's most famous jockey, who experienced an agonising defeat in Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Enable, will be hoping Buildmeupbuttercup does not suffer the same fate in the historic handicap, for which she tops the market at 5-1.

Dettori and Mullins have teamed up seven times in Britain and Ireland, winning the Irish St Leger in 2016 with Wicklow Brave and the Lonsdale Cup the previous year with Max Dynamite. Only Michelle Payne on Prince Of Penzance deprived the pair of Melbourne Cup glory with Max Dynamite later that year.

Mullins, who won the Newmarket marathon last year with Low Sun, said: "Frankie is booked for Buildmeupbuttercup and we're delighted to have his services. We have a good record together.

"Buildmeupbuttercup was trying to give the winner [Kastasa] over a stone at Leopardstown last time and she almost did. That was a big run.

"The winner has gone on to win a Group race so that does not look like bad form at all. She has been flying at home since and I have been delighted with her."

Buildmeupbuttercup will have company on her trip to Newmarket as Mullins will also saddle Great White Shark and Stratum in the £350,000 contest.

Great White Shark: returns to the scene of her greatest triumph at Galway on Monday
Great White Shark: set to take her chance in Saturday's Emirates Cesarewitch at NewmarketCredit: Patrick McCann

"Stamina is the name of the game in the Cesarewitch, as we found out last year with Low Sun, and we have a good strong, staying team going over there. Great White Shark will run, as will Stratum, and they appear to be ideal types for the race."

Irish-trained horses have only won the Cesarewitch twice in the last 26 years and the only other trainer to have plundered the prize is also targeting a second success.

Tony Martin: successful at Dundalk
Tony Martin: fined a total of €1750Credit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Tony Martin won the race in 2007 with Leg Spinner and 12 years later he is hoping to repeat the feat with the unexposed Mr Everest, for whom John Egan has been booked to ride.

The six-year-old is a best price 25-1 with Coral for the race with a maximum field size of 34 runners.

Martin said: "John won the November Handicap on Mr Everest at Naas last year and I think Newmarket will suit him. There is only one bend and he's a big horse who will potter away and enjoy himself.

"He had a good run over hurdles at Listowel and the soft ground at Newmarket should be perfect for him.

"Newcross could join him at Newmarket, but he has the option of going to the Curragh on Sunday for the Irish Cesarewitch."


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David JenningsDeputy Ireland editor

Published on 8 October 2019inNews

Last updated 19:46, 8 October 2019

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