'It's all systems go' - Dettori delighted after riding English King in key work

It is all systems go for the Investec Derby on Saturday week according to Frankie Dettori after the superstar rider on Wednesday morning partnered favourite English King for the first time in a key piece of work before the Epsom Classic.

The dual Derby-winning jockey, who on Monday was confirmed as replacing Tom Marquand aboard the impressive Lingfield Trial winner, described his first sit on the Ed Walker-trained colt as “all very positive”.

It came on a day when the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Highest Ground advertised his Derby claims by defeating Waldkonig in a novice event at Haydock, after which he was shortened to a general 16-1 (from 25).

Dettori enjoyed Derby success aboard Authorized in 2007 and Golden Horn in 2015 and last week was crowned leading rider at Royal Ascot for the second year running with six winners at the meeting.

He said: “It all went well this morning and it was nice to sit on him for the first time. I found him to be really nice and I’m very happy with the ride. It was all very positive.

“He was very good, did everything we asked of him and Bjorn [Nielsen, owner] was there to see us. He’s a bit of a playful horse but nothing you can’t manage. It’s all systems go.

“There’s ten days to the Derby but I’m looking forward to it and have my fingers crossed.”

The owner, jockey and trainer enjoyed a socially-distanced meal the night before, where the chat was dominated by recent Gold Cup heroics.

Walker said: “Frankie came down last night and had dinner with Bjorn and I, which was fun. We spoke about Stradivarius for about three hours and English King for five minutes!

“Frankie has such a wealth of experience and loved the horse. He’s not one you expect to see blast clear of his lead horse in Frankel-Bullet Train style and only does what he has to. Frankie wanted to get a feel for him and rode him from his stable back to his stable, which is quite rare for a jockey to do when they come in.

“He really wanted to get inside the horse’s head and understand him and it’s a mark of Frankie’s professionalism. He loves the way he moves and his personality as he’s playful and a character. He has that Montjeu twinkle in his eye."

English King, who recorded the quickest time in the Betsafe-sponsored trial in 30 years at the Surrey track, heads the Derby betting at a best-priced 7-2 with Ladbrokes, with Qipco 2,000 Guineas hero Kameko a standout 11-2 second favourite with William Hill.

That betting surprises Walker, who is readying his first runner in the historic race.

He said: “I’ve always been a believer that the Guineas is the best Derby trial and it slightly surprises me English King is favourite ahead of Kameko. The Guineas is the Guineas, we won a Listed race around Lingfield and Kameko is a Classic winner. I have enormous respect for Kameko, who won despite an imperfect trip and it was a hell of a performance.

“I’m massively excited for the race and I wouldn’t swap English King. I think he’s got everything it takes. I’ve always vowed I’d never run a horse in the Derby who didn’t really deserve his place as it can be a graveyard for a nice horse.

“He genuinely deserves to take his chance. We’ll find out whether he’s good enough but he ticks a huge amount of boxes.”

Masked Marvel: St Leger winner for Bjorn Nielsen in 2011Credit: Edward Whitaker

Walker’s sole Classic runner came four years ago when stable stalwart Stormy Antarctic finished down the field in the 2,000 Guineas, and the Lambourn trainer feels this year’s Derby, staged a month later due to the coronavirus pandemic, has more of an open feel.

Walker, sharing his views on a video call billed Lunch With Zoom by ITV Racing's Oli Bell, said: “The one thing about this year’s Derby is there’s not a certain standout horse from Ballydoyle and John [Gosden] doesn’t have a runner, so it’s probably a bit more open than normal.

“English King has never had a smack behind the saddle and it’s a concern that he hasn’t come off the bridle, but it’s also exciting as we don’t truly know how much is left in the tank.”

Golden Horn: most recent Derby winner for Frankie Dettori in 2015Credit: Edward Whitaker

Walker believes the greater gap between the trial and Classic to be an advantage to English King and the Guineas contingent and hopes in ten days to fulfil the lifelong dream of his great supporter and Kingsdown Stables landlord.

He said: “It’s incredible what it does to the atmosphere in the yard by having a Derby contender. We’re united in hoping and dreaming we can pull it off.

“I would so love to win the Derby for myself and the team, but to do it for Bjorn with a horse in his own stable and fulfil his lifetime dream would be special. It would probably mean I won’t have to move yards ever again!”

The Niarchos Family-owned Highest Ground was a comfortable two-and-a-half-length winner on his return, taking his unbeaten record to two and impressing Ryan Moore.

Moore said: “He's lovely and I'm very happy with what he did today. Hopefully he's a proper colt."

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