St Leger strike? Dettori in line to ride for O'Brien in Doncaster Classic

It is 15 years since Frankie Dettori and Aidan O'Brien teamed up to take the St Leger with Scorpion and they could do so again on Saturday week as the world's most famous jockey looks set to pick up a plum ride on Irish Derby winner Santiago.

O'Brien is keen to keep his own jockeys at home for Irish Champions Weekend and has already snapped up Dettori's services for the Pertemps-backed Classic. Although Dettori has yet to confirm he will ride Santiago, it seems highly likely he will be on board the number one hope from Ballydoyle.

O'Brien said: "I've spoken to Frankie and he's going to be there [at Doncaster] for us for the Leger. We will need our lads at home that weekend so we have Frankie, William [Buick], James [Doyle] and Oisin [Murphy]. Lads we have used before. We're going to be okay."

On Santiago, who finished third in the Goodwood Cup last time out, O'Brien said: "Goodwood didn't go the way we would have liked. We usually like to take our time with him but he jumped great and found himself going a gear or two too high the whole way. He could never catch his breath to go again. That said, the race didn't do him any harm and he seems in very good form."

Watch Santiago win the Irish Derby

Dettori will definitely be taking on O'Brien at Longchamp next month where Love and Enable will clash for the first time in one of the most eagerly-awaited Prix de l'Arc de Triomples in recent memory.

Last week Dettori suggested Love deserved to be favourite for the big showdown, which was music to O'Brien's ears.

The trainer said: "Frankie is a seriously respected fella. Nobody knows the form lines better than him so it was nice to hear him say that. It's going to be a seriously competitive and challenging race. Everything is well with Love.

"We wanted a six-week gap between York and the Arc. She's very fresh and doing nice canters. It's going to make the autumn very interesting."

Runaway Derby winner Serpentine will next be seen in the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on Sunday week, as O'Brien reiterated what a strong galloper the three-year-old is and how his awesome Epsom display was no fluke.

He said: "Serpentine has always been relentless in his work. He always goes an even, strong gallop and never gives in. I wouldn't be fooled by what people were thinking after the Derby. We always thought he was smart. Hopefully, if all goes well between now and then, he will go to France for the Grand Prix de Paris. A race like the Arc would be a possible for him as well. We're hoping we will have him for next year."

Watch Serpentine win the Derby

According to O'Brien, Serpentine is also tactically versatile, and the trainer added: "If he's not able to get to the front, it would be even better for him as it would mean they are going an honest pace. I actually think he would be happier getting a lead.

"He's a little bit heavier than ideal at the moment but he has a busy ten days ahead before France. He was a little bit tired and quiet after the Derby, but that was after having three quick runs."

Read more:

Two potential St Leger contenders feature in this week's must-watch replays

Road to the Arc: the main prep races to keep an eye on between now and Longchamp

'It's very strange' - O'Brien admits Moore's quarantine isn't ideal prep time

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