Frankie Dettori gets Snowfall and John Leeper call-up as Epsom nears

It's full steam ahead to this week's Epsom Classics, the Cazoo Derby and Cazoo Oaks, and Classic Clues, our series running every morning, has you covered. Here's a recap of the latest Classic news and how it's impacted the big-race betting.

Oaks latest: Frankie factor

A field of 14 was declared for Friday's Cazoo Oaks on Wednesday morning when it was revealed Frankie Dettori would ride second favourite Snowfall for Aidan O'Brien.

Dettori won the 1,000 Guineas on a supposed Aidan O'Brien second string (Mother Earth) as Ryan Moore partnered Santa Barbara, whom he sticks with at Epsom.

Mother of God! Frankie Dettori lands 1,000 Guineas on O'Brien's Mother Earth

She is set to start favourite but O'Brien has won the Oaks with 20-1, 50-1 and 7-1 shots in the last decade, so perhaps Divinely, an ante-post market mover, Willow and La Joconde should not be dismissed.

With news emerging late on Wednesday evening that Dettori's likely Derby ride, High Definition, would not run, the six-time Epsom Classic winning jockey was named to ride John Leeper.

Adam Kirby had initially been given the ride but owner-breeder Cristina Patino insists Dettori was always "the first choice" and had been approached a while ago.

Derby latest: final field near

The final line-up for the Cazoo Derby was revealed on Thursday morning with O'Brien relying solely on hot favourite Bolshoi Ballet, with High Definition and others rerouted to other targets. A field of 12 was declared, with Lone Eagle a surprise absentee.

Bolshoi Ballet: Ryan Moore is set to ride the Derby favouriteCredit: Patrick McCann

Riding plans for Shadwell's colt Mohaafeth are in place with Jim Crowley in the plate and the organisation's racing manager Angus Gold said: "It would be wrong to say anybody is going into the race with confidence, as this is a Derby and in my experience it's better to be hopeful rather than overconfident, particularly as very few of these horses have run over a mile and a half already and Bolshoi Ballet looked very impressive in the Derrinstown.

"However, we're all very excited to have a horse in the top four or five in the betting market for the Derby, and we just have to hope he gets there in top shape on the big day."

Ground: watering set to continue

Watering was planned at Epsom on Wednesday, which track officials expected to be the hottest day of the week with highs of 27C.

Aidan O'Brien: 'It will be hard for Ryan Moore to overlook Bolshoi Ballet'

The going remains good, good to firm in places with a reading of 7.1 on the GoingStick. Temperatures are due to drop for the rest of the week and showers are possible.

Cazoo Derby card and betting

Cazoo Oaks card and betting

Read more Epsom news:

Find out who impressed on the Limekilns as Classic countdown begins (Members' Club)

Atzeni expects more from 'surprising' Third Realm as Bolshoi Ballet hardens

'He has tactical speed and a change of gear' – Youth Spirit team back for more

'She's in a good place' – Adam Kirby delighted with Oaks hope Saffron Beach

Taking on Bolshoi Ballet? Here are three Derby outsiders to consider

2021 Cazoo Derby festival: essential information for the Epsom spectacular

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