'Our hero overcomplicated it' - Gosden criticises Dettori despite Friday success

John Gosden and Frankie Dettori were in the Royal Ascot winner's enclosure at last on Friday with Inspiral, but Thursday's difficult day was still weighing on the mind of the trainer as he criticised the legendary jockey for an "overcomplicated ride" on Stradivarius in the Gold Cup – and added the rider "should have won" on Saga later on the card.

Gosden, who trains alongside son Thady, was speaking after Dettori recorded his first victory at this year's royal meeting with Inspiral in the Coronation Stakes. However, despite winning the day's big race, the trainer's frustrations from Thursday were still apparent.

Frankie Dettori before his Coronation Stakes success on Inspiral at Ascot on FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

Stradivarius, a three-time winner of the Gold Cup and sent off a 2-1 second favourite, was short of room at a crucial stage in the straight and could finish only third behind Kyprios, with Dettori going wide to find a clear passage.

While the eight-year-old's trainer said on Thursday he wished the horse was ridden "handier", he spoke again of the ride to Sky Sports Racing when comparing it to the contrasting easy success of 15-8 favourite Inspiral.

Frankie Dettori celebrates after getting off the mark at Royal Ascot 2022 in the Coronation StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He didn't overcomplicate it, which is what he did yesterday," Gosden said after Inspiral's win. "It's an awful habit. A jockey must never be tied down with instructions. It's like a blank canvas; if something happens in a race you just have to ride the way you feel.

"Our hero overcomplicated it yesterday and I was clear in my definition of that. I think it's right to say what you think. It's over, it's past, it's finished and we move on."

Frankie Dettori in the black silks on Stradivarius (right) fails to catch Kyprios and Mojo Star in the Gold CupCredit: Alex Livesey (Getty Images)

Around 40 minutes after the Gold Cup on Thursday, Dettori and Gosden teamed up with the Queen's Saga in the Britannia Stakes, but the 12-1 shot's challenge came a fraction too late as he was beaten a head by Thesis.

The trainer was also frustrated by that defeat and highlighted Dettori's visible annoyance going into the race.

Gosden said: "You can't keep looking back. You discuss it, you deal with it and you move on. These are horses; they need your full attention and not wandering around with your lip down. You just get on with it.

"The great thing is Stradivarius is still in good form and Saga – who should have won – as far as he's concerned did win."

Read these next:

'She got me out of trouble' - redemption for Frankie Dettori on superb Inspiral

John Gosden: I wish we'd been handier and not had to go around a wall of horses

2022 Ascot Gold Cup: how Ryan Moore and Kyprios stole the Royal Ascot show

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