Frankie Dettori could be the star of the show on the opening day of Newmarket’s Craven meeting as he begins his final domestic campaign in the saddle.
The evergreen Italian announced his intention to hang up his boots following one last season in December and has since embarked on something of a world tour, spending Christmas and the early part of 2023 riding in the United States, with fleeting appearances at events such as the Saudi Cup and Meydan's World Cup night.
He is now back in Newmarket as this season's Classic contenders prepare to step out in the various trials and Frankie Dettori could hit the ground running on day one of three on the Rowley Mile.
The 52-year-old's first taste of the action will be in the Close Brothers Handicap where he will don the royal blue silks of Godolphin aboard John and Thady Gosden's Unforgotten, while he looks to have a fine chance of getting on the scoreboard with hot Clarehaven prospect Covey in the Alex Scott Maiden Stakes.
The Frankel colt bumped into the Greenham-bound Zoology when going down by a neck on debut at Southwell and Barry Mahon, of owners Juddmonte, believes he could develop into a smart colt this term.
He said: "You don't expect to run into a 90-something rated horse in a novice at Southwell, but unfortunately he bumped into one.
"He ran Zoology all the way to the line, it was a big run and hopefully he can improve.
"I think he can be a very nice horse. He has always been a very impressive physical, he was just a bit immature last year.
"He was prone to respiratory infections and a couple of times when he was close to the races, he would give a few coughs and he just never made it to the track for that reason. I do think he can develop into a nice colt."
On the return of Dettori, Mahon added: "The main man is back from California. He has had a good winter out there and rode plenty of winners and hopefully he is looking forward to being back here and getting going again."
In the bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes – the feature of the seven-race card – Dettori will partner the King's Reach For The Moon as he makes his return.
Once thought of as a Derby candidate, the Gosden-trained four-year-old has been gelded over the winter following an interrupted 2022 which saw the son of Sea The Stars hit the track on just three occasions.
He reappears sporting first-time blinkers with connections looking forward to the run.
"We are pleased with how Reach For The Moon has wintered and we are hoping for a bold show," said the King's racing manager John Warren.
Simon and Ed Crisford's unbeaten Poker Face is the likely favourite for the Group Three contest, but it is no surprise that the first meeting of the year at Newmarket sees strong Godolphin representation in the form of Charlie Appleby's course winner Ottoman Fleet and stablemate Blue Trail.
"Ottoman Fleet ran very consistently in Dubai, being placed in all his starts, and he's come back in great shape. He's a past winner on the Rowley Mile and he's got to have a good chance." the Moulton Paddocks handler told www.godolphin.com.
"Blue Trail was last seen winning emphatically by 11 lengths at Meydan and we know he's a horse with an engine. If he can put it all together, he has the ability to win a race such as this."
