Frankie Dettori was at his brilliant best when he partnered Never Can Tell to a memorable victory in the Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket on Saturday.
The 25-1 winner was drawn wide in stall 36, which many considered a big disadvantage, but Dettori soon had her handy and sent her to the middle of the track as the field rounded the turn for home.
When challenged, Dettori and his willing partner battled gamely to deny Ermyn Lodge, who returned at 16-1.
Colour Vision was third at 20-1 followed by 14-1 chance Mount Athos, who, like Never Can Tell, runs in the grey silks of Dr Marwan Koukash.The owner enjoyed big-race success when Our Jonathan claimed the Ayr Gold Cup last month and Never Can Tell's win gave him another valuable prize.
A filly by Montjeu, Never Can Tell had won twice at Chester this season and Koukash described her as a "huge price" at 25-1 on Wednesday.
While punters may been have worried by her draw, the four-year-old's trainer Jamie Osborne was not too concerned.
"With her style coming forward the draw was probably not as bad as everybody thought," he said. "Frankie said, 'don't give me any instructions' and I said 'I wouldn't dare'.
"She likes to bowl along and is very straightforward. She was always doddling along with her ears pricked and doing her own thing.
"She's not very pretty and not very big but she's got a massive heart and she hates letting other horses past."
For Dettori it was a first Cesarewitch victory. "Full credit to Jamie," he said. "She really tried for me."
