‘A big disappointment’ – Frankie Dettori on a mission for much-needed winner after dramatic Stradivarius Gold Cup loss

WHAT doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so they say. I’m big enough — and old enough — to admit things didn’t go according to the script yesterday . . . but this is sport, this is racing. If you miss a penalty in a shootout you can’t go back and kick it again. And […]

WHAT doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, so they say.

I’m big enough — and old enough — to admit things didn’t go according to the script yesterday . . . but this is sport, this is racing.

AFP

Dettori and Stradivarius could only manage third behind Kyprios in yesterday’s Gold Cup[/caption]

If you miss a penalty in a shootout you can’t go back and kick it again.

And there are no second chances in a horse race either. There are many variables and you must  make split decisions at 40 miles per hour.

The draw, the lack of pace, the fact I had to pull Stradivarius so wide to make his run, the fact he is no longer a young horse. All those things  contributed to  a big disappointment in the Gold Cup.

Strad still ran well though. He has been a true champion and, in my eyes, he still is. It’s been a good era and he owes nothing to racing.

He’s been a magnificent horse and has always given his very best.

Today is another day and, obviously, I’m hoping for a better one.

At the start of the week, I was looking through all the entries and I always thought INSPIRAL (4.20) would be one of my best chances.

The Coronation looks a fabulous race, one of the strongest of the meeting.

Over the winter we always had her down as a big Classic hope but she had a minor setback so we have had to be patient. She was an exceptional two-year-old and rounded off her campaign with a brilliant win in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October.

Cachet — who won this year’s 1,000 Guineas and went so close to double in the French 1,000 — was behind us that day.

I never had a moment’s worry on Inspiral from three furlongs out.

It is fair to say she pretty much outclassed her rivals and it is never easy to do that in a Group 1.

Hopes were sky high after that and, although she missed the Classics, they still are.

She is a beautifully-bred filly by Frankel and a lovely mover. It’s just that it has taken a long time to get her to come to form in the mornings but she seems to have come right.

I am sure she will come on for the run this afternoon — but the boss wouldn’t be running her if she didn’t think she was straight enough to do more than do herself justice.

We beat all the best fillies around last season and I am hoping her undoubted class will see her through.

Prosperous Voyage is a nice filly but we had her measure last season.

There are a couple of new rivals — Mangoustine, who beat Cachet to win the French 1,000, and I have heard good things about the American runner Spenderellla.

Reuters

Dettori is still searching for his first winner of the week[/caption]

They all have a race-fitness edge on us but if Inspiral is anywhere near at the level she was last year I believe she will win. She is in good form at home and there’s only one Royal Ascot, so we’re giving it a go.

On what is expected to be the hottest day of the year I start my day with FULLY WET (2.30) in the wide-open Albany Stakes.

She won nicely first time out, and while I’m not sure how strong the form is, she could only beat what was put in front of her. This faster ground should help her and I’m hoping she can run a nice race.

Handicaps at Royal Ascot are notoriously tough to win, and the Duke Of Edinburgh   looks no different.

I guess we’re just fishing a bit with TRAWLERMAN (3.40) who won on his reappearance at Chelmsford.

He may not be a superstar but often at this meeting the ones you don’t expect surprise you the most.

I’d like to think there’s plenty more to come from him and he’s got a nice draw in stall three too.

I’d have to say I’m hopeful of a nice run but he is might short in the betting at around 5-1 in such a competitive race. The Queen’s runner Just Fine has been laid out for this race and looks a massive danger for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore.

I had the choice of two in the Sandringham at 5.00 —  King’s Joy and CRENELLE.  I don’t think there’s much between them — it was nearly a toss of a coin! I’ve gone with Crenelle though and I’m hoping this drop back to a mile will suit her.

She was too keen last time  and the ten-furlong trip stretched her.

She’ll have to switch off better here, but this big field could help her do that. Stall 24, up near the stands’ rail, is a nice place to be too.

I wouldn’t discount King’s Joy though. She ran quite a nice race over this track and trip in April and the two fillies’ who beat her have gone on to run well in Listed class, so she’s no back number.

Frankie Dettori is a Sporting Index ambassador

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