Jockey Frankie Dettori
Jockey Frankie Dettori

Frankie Dettori on his Sunday French rides including Twist 'N' Shake and A'Ali


Frankie Dettori is looking forward to his return to France today following Saturday's Irish Oaks success at the Curragh.

Frankie Dettori’s latest trip to Deauville saw him steer Too Darn Hot to victory in the Group One Qatar Prix Jean Prat, the first leg of a big-race double just 14 days ago.

This afternoon the 48-year-old world famous Italian will take three rides at the Normandy track, all three of which are English-trained including Royal Ascot winning colt A'Ali who lines-up in the Group Two Darley Prix Robert Papin at 2:50 GMT.

Dettori, who less than 24 hours ago was seen at his very best when making all to win yet another classic aboard Star Catcher in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh is very much looking forward to getting back on board Norfolk Stakes winner A’Ali.

“He won the Norfolk for me and all the vibes are good since the last day. I’ve only ridden him once and I’m looking forward to see if he has improved again” said Dettori.

Winner of this contest in 2015 and 2018 when ran at Maisons-Laffitte, Dettori believes that the Simon Crisford-trained son of Society Rock has what it takes to win the €130,000 race.

"He is a very fast horse and he travels well. He is making up into a good sprinter and the Papin is a good spot for him. It is quite an important race for the two-year old’s in the French calender and my lad comes with a great profile. We can take it step by step and we’ll see what happens next after this weekend."

A'Ali beats Ventura Rebel to win the Norfolk Stakes
A'Ali beats Ventura Rebel to win the Norfolk Stakes

Fellow Italian and trainer Andrea Marcialis sends out two of the Papin's 10 declared runners from his base in Chantilly and he thinks it could be the Group Three-placed Jolie that can put it up most to the English raider.

"I’m delighted with her, everything is going to plan. It was a real shame that she was beaten just a head by Wesley Ward’s horse at Chantilly but we were a long way ahead of the rest. She’s had six runs this year but that’s ok as she only just does enough. I don’t know the much about the English runners but I’ve heard that Frankie’s colt is pretty good! I’m hoping for a big run," said a confident sounding Marcialis.

The daughter of Power is the stables first choice and will be ridden by current jockeys championship leader Maxime Guyon, while Marcialis’ other runner is Salar Island who is two from two was supplemented on Thursday for this race and Cristian Demuro will take the ride.

English runners have won the last five runnings of the Papin so it is worth mentioning that 2017 winning trainer Karl Burke sends over two runners, black-type performer Rayong and Carlisle maiden winner Classic Moon.

Last time out Beverley winner Istanbul, trained by Richard Fahey, is the other raider in the race, a son of Gutaifan who himself took this race back in 2015 when ridden by Frankie Dettori. Coronation Stakes hero Pierre-Charles Boudot takes the ride on Istanbul and they could also make the frame.

Another French double could be on the cards for Dettori as he once again teams up with training maestro John Gosden in the Listed Prix De Bagatelle where Twist 'N' Shake should go to post a very short price favourite.

Gosden, who in October will bid to win a third consecutive Arc with his superstar Enable, is very much hoping for a big run from Twist ‘N’ Shake who runs at 13:25.

"She is a genuine filly and ran a good race at Royal Ascot last time out, hopefully this race should suit her well," said Gosden.

The three-year old daughter of Kingman drops back down in class having finished an excellent fourth to Watch Me in the Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and she looks to have all bases covered.

Maqsad (left) gets the better of Twist N Shake
Maqsad (left) gets the better of Twist N Shake at Newmarket

Dettori’s final ride of the afternoon is Dancing Brave Bear and he expressed that he was again quite excited to be making another trip to France.

“Deauville is such a lovely track, very fair and great when you get to know it. We are very lucky with the quality of the course, they manage is so well.

"It's funny, I remember in the past when there was grass racing for a month it used to get so chewed up and by the third week it was like a ploughed field. Now we are lucky, it’s a great course that I enjoy coming over to ride when I get the chance."

Looking at the rest of the card Study of Man should make a return to the winners circle for Pascal Bary despite being dropped back to the mile in the Group Three Prix Messidor at 4:35.

Winner of the 2018 Group One QIPCO Prix de Jockey Club (French Derby) Study of Man has been seen finishing second twice this season, most recently being beaten three quarters of a length by Zabeel Prince in the Group One Prix d’Ispahan at ParisLongchamp.

Not seen running over this distance since winning his maiden at St. Cloud in 2017 with jockey Stephane Pasquier who has partnered the classic-winning son of Deep Impact on all eight of his starts and he could possibly imply a change of tactics and be ridden quite prominent as only six runners line-up. Although Study of Man could be threatened by the rapidl- improving Godolphin runner Impulsif.

Winner by a very comfortable margin last month at Maisons-Laffite, the New Approach colt is drawn to attack in stall number one and with his front-running style could be hard to catch. His connections are intrigued to see how he handles the step up to group company for the first time.

"Things have started to go right for Impulsif and he is a horse with a lot of ability when in form. We’re hopeful he can handle the step up in class," said Lisa-Jane Graffard, Godolphin’s French representative.

Also looking to get back on the scoresheet for Godolphin is highly talented filly Musis Amica, second only to Laurens in the 2018 ‘Prix Diane’ before unfortunately missing the rest of the year.

Returned to action with a close second at Compiegne last month, Lisa-Jane Graffard expressed that connections are looking forward to the remainder of the season with their filly, also by New Approach.

Graffard said: "Musis Amica is in good form and we’re excited to see her back on track. André Fabre felt she just needed another run before tackling bigger races with her later on this year after a long layoff."

Both Musis Amica and Study of Man still hold entries in this year's Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

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