Frankie Dettori returns with three rides at Lingfield
Pic: Courtesy ARC/Lingfield Park

By Simon Jackson

Frankie Dettori resumes with three rides at Lingfield Park on Wednesday that includes last start winner Exemplary in the day’s feature race – a qualifier for the All-Weather Championship finals.

The 32Red Conditions Stakes – a Class two contest over two miles – headlines a seven race card where Dettori is also booked to ride Eco Warrior in the auction maiden race that opens proceedings at 1pm and Gone With The Wind, in another maiden race, an hour later.

The trio of rides are the first for the Newmarket-based Italian since he was sidelined in early October when breaking his ankle in a pre-race fall. The injury was doubly cruel as it forced the three time champion jockey to miss the winning ride in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe on Treve, who is owned by Sheikh Joaan Al Thani, who retains Dettori.

The former Godolphin number one jockey teamed up with Sheikh Joaan in 2013 and last week revealed he will be based in Britain for the winter, while riding occasionally in Dubai and Qatar.

“If Sheikh Joaan Al Thani wants me to pop over to Dubai or Qatar to ride one I will, but I will be mainly based in Britain for the rest of the winter,” Dettori said after returning to riding trackwork for the first time last week.

“It’s all positive as regards returning to the saddle as the scan was clear and I was back riding out for Jeremy Noseda. Thankfully, it went well and I didn’t feel a twinge or anything from the ankle.”

Meanwhile bookmaker Paddy Power has marked the Derby-winning jockey’s return by offering some Frankie Dettori special bets:

1-3 Frankie Dettori to ride a Group 1 winner in Ireland or the UK in 2014

3-1 Frankie Dettori to win a British Classic in 2014

6-1 Frankie Dettori to go unbeaten on Treve in 2014

10-1 Frankie Dettori not to be retained rider for Sheikh Joaan Al Thani at the end of the 2014 UK turf season

12-1 Frankie Dettori to retire by the end of 2014