Fantastic Frankie gets his fractions right aboard Dubai Warrior

The first and last turn were perfect examples of quite how canny a race Frankie Dettori rode on Dubai Warrior to down hot favourite Bangkok in the Winter Derby at Lingfield.

For this was a race of pace, positioning and poise from the most famous jockey in the world – a jockey who we will see on Saturdays and big days through 2020 showcasing all his skills.

Bangkok was odds-on to win the Winter Derby because he had won the Winter Derby Trial by a country mile and in a course record time.

But, as we saw before the Derby last year, Bangkok is a horse who gets above himself and can race keenly. Making the pace, or a steadily-run affair, is not what he wants. And Frankie knew it.

Dubai Warrior and Dettori broke well and were allowed to lollop into the lead, grabbing an extra couple of bonus lengths to boot. It was a crucial piece of tactical genius that allowed Dettori to set the race up perfectly.

They then ticked through easy fractions of 12.8s, 12.31s, 11.91s, 11.95s, 12.35s and 12.25s for the next three-quarters of a mile, Bangkok overracing at points in behind the leader.

At this point, running down the hill and approaching the final sharp bend, Dettori went hard and won his race in the classic Lingfield way.

Fractions of 10.52s, 11.43s and 11.19s closed the race with Bangkok, partnered by the tactically astute but hamstrungSilvestre de Sousa, outpaced and out of time.

Watch Dettori deliver a masterclass at Lingfield

“I tried not to use too much petrol in the beginning,” Dettori said. “I was looking for Silvestre but I could feel some daylight and I knew then he’d finish the race very strongly.”

This is what we can expect from Dettori this year. He will be called upon sparingly and effectively by the likes of John Gosden and others in the very top races, making sure his sharp mind and years of experience are used to devastating effect.

Gosden said: “He’s got a great stride and there’s no point being in a slowly run race around here and then dash.”

Having won nearly everything last year between them, Dettori and Gosden are going to be a formidable duo once again.

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