Frankie Dettori and Johnny Murtagh will both step outside their comfort zones at the Curragh tomorrow. Murtagh, stable jockey to Aidan O’Brien, is following instinct rather than form by deserting his Epsom Derby mount in a bid for the Irish equivalent, while Dettori has successfully sought release from his own Godolphin stable to ride for Mark Johnston.
Unsurprisingly, the betting markets have heeded their hunches. Cape Blanco, preferred to Jan Vermeer by Murtagh despite a dismal run in the French Derby, has been backed into favouritism to give Ballydoyle a first classic of 2010 in the race they have won four years in succession and seven times in all.
Monterosso contests the position, though reappearing a mere nine days after his Royal Ascot win. Johnston, conceding it is “a big ask” to continue his swift climb through the ranks, is buoyed by Dettori’s loyalty. Chabal, Godolphin’s runner, will instead be partnered by Kieren Fallon.
Yesterday, Murtagh explained his selection of Cape Blanco — only tenth in Paris having previously beaten Workforce at York. “For whatever reason, he didn’t run well in France. I got bumped at the top of the straight and he was never really going after that. But we saw how good he is in the Dante.”
Elsewhere, David Pipe will follow his first Royal Ascot winner by attempting an unusual double, saddling Mamlook in the Northumberland Plate, then Minella Four Star in the English Summer National at Uttoxeter tomorrow.
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More grim news for racing finances emerged yesterday, the Levy Board announcing a further cut of £2.1 million in prize money for races run between August and December.