'It's a Baldrick plan - but it'll work'- analysing Dettori's Ebor masterclass

Frankie Dettori produced a remarkable ride to win the Ebor aboard Trawlerman for John and Thady Gosden. Below we take a look at how the jockey overcame a wide draw for a memorable success at York.

Staying wide

Before the race even started Dettori got off his mount and, asked by ITV's Mick Fitzgerald how difficult it was to ride in the Ebor drawn 20, he said: "If you go forwards it's not so bad, you've got four furlongs before you get to the stable gate. If you have to sit mid-division or drop in it's a problem because you get pushed wide. This fella usually runs forward, although sometimes he can fluff the start, but being drawn out there is not the problem."

Asked if he'd stay wide and then come in he added: "Yes, for two reasons. You keep the revs down so he won't be too competitive too early, and then by coming across you're with the others. I will keep my straight line until the stable crossing and take myself across."

So it came as no surprise when Frankie did exactly that and stayed on the far side rail through the early part of the race, racing on his own until coming across in front of fellow Godolphin-owned runner Global Storm to lead the field around the home bend.

Alfred Boucher on the other hand, ridden by PJ McDonald broke from stall nine well and then was taken back so that, at the point Dettori came over to join the field, he was midfield one off the rail.

Straightening up

Rounding the bend Billy Lee and Earl Of Tyrone gave the leader company for the first time but Dettori was clearly keen to wait, while McDonald started to angle out unwilling to spot those on the front too much of a start.

York's home straight is long and Dettori brought the field across to the stands' side rail with the field stacked up behind him and challengers on either side. As others got to work McDonald waited, a wall of horses in front of him somewhat forcing his hand and it was not until three furlongs out he was really able to get Alfred Boucher rolling.

Heads up, heads down

Earl Of Tyrone hit the front and with Global Storm still there and John Leeper and Alfred Boucher emerging from the pack Trawlerman looked like he was going to get swallowed up, but he was tenacious.

With a furlong to run he trailed both Earl Of Tyrone on his right and Alfred Boucher on his left, but Dettori kept his mount in the fight and, as the line approached, he began to rally.

With half a furlong to run the Irish challenger began to fade and Trawlerman closed slightly on Alfred Boucher with every stride. They passed the line together with the commentator calling for a photo-finish as their heads were moving in different directions.

After a short delay the judge gave the race to Trawlerman, with Dettori punching the air in delight after scoring for the Gosdens, who earlier this year replaced him for several high-profile rides during a brief sabbatical.

Post-race reaction

Speaking after the race, Dettori said: "On the line I knew it was close. It was quite some race, I led on my own by ten lengths by the time we got to the stable gate. I got him to relax but then I was thinking is he relaxed or is he tired?

"The Irish horse passed me by a neck, then the grey horse [Alfred Boucher] passed me and I thought 'God, I'm going to finish third', and then he found some energy from I don't know where and I thought we might get second again, and then on the line I thought 'maybe?' It was a crazy race."

For his part, Gosden added: "We did it with Golden Horn in the Arc, Frankie said I'm going to stay out there. Then we did it here with Muntahaa with Jim Crowley, who thought I was mad but I said 'no, it's a Baldrick plan but it can work'. So as soon as we looked at the draw Frankie and I said 'we know what we're doing'.

"We've a very good owner who would understand if it didn't [come off] and I'd understand as we made the decision together. There's only one risk as they know where the stables are and can turn right and go back and that wouldn't be very good."

Members can watch the replay of a thrilling Sky Bet Ebor here

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