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ARREST SLASHED TO 3-1 DERBY FAVOURITE AS PUNTERS PILE INTO FRANKIE DETTORI’S FINAL EPSOM CLASSIC RIDE

06-03-2023

Arrest is the new favourite for Saturday’s Betfred Derby (1.30) after Frankie Dettori scooped both Group 1s at Epsom on Friday, leaving bookmakers ducking for cover.

Dettori landed the Coronation Cup on Emily Upjohn before completing a remarkable big-race double on Soul Sister in the Oaks, and he now turns his attention to his final ride in the Derby on Arrest.

The son of Frankel had shortened on Friday morning to provide Dettori with an emotional winner in the Derby before he retires later this year. Dettori has won the Derby twice with Authorized (2007) and Golden Horn (2015).

However, the surge of money continued as Dettori dominated the big races at Epsom on Friday afternoon and Arrest is 11-4 with Sky Bet and a general 3-1 to give the Italian a remarkable third British Classic of his final season.

The ground at Epsom quickened to good to firm on Friday and Arrest does hold winning juvenile form on that ground, although his impressive Chester Vase triumph last month came on soft.

“Plenty of punters will have backed them both and have them in multiple bets with Arrest, plus many more will want to back Frankie in his final Derby ride, and it’s almost certain the pair will be sent off favourite for the Epsom Classic.

Coral expect Arrest to go off favourite after a famous Friday and their spokesperson David Stevens said: “Frankie Dettori has been the man for the big occasion throughout his career, and he’s proved that once again with a Group 1 double on the opening day of this year’s Derby meeting, his last in the saddle.

“It means we’re in for a nervous day, although with the race going off at 1.30pm, at least we’ll know our fate early!”

Ladbrokes has also seen huge support for Arrest ahead of the Derby and having originally cut him to 9-2 (from 6) earlier on Friday, he is now 7-2 following Dettori’s Oaks victory.

Their spokesperson Nicola McGeady said on Friday: “Frankie Dettori’s farewell tour is turning into a true fairytale and after landing a Group 1 double today, it looks like he will now go off as clear favourite in the Derby aboard Arrest.

“Frankie was always going to be incredibly popular for his final Derby ride, but after today’s heroics every man and his dog will want to be with him tomorrow.”

Arrest is the 3-1 favourite with William Hill and their spokesperson Lee Phelps believes that price may not last long if the momentum behind him continues into Saturday.

“We were preparing for the money to pile in if Frankie Dettori enjoyed a good Friday and, after both Emily Upjohn and Soul Sister emerged victorious, punters have really latched on to Arrest in the Derby,” he said on Friday.

“Frankie’s Derby mount is now the 3-1 market leader for tomorrow’s Classic and we can only really see his price getting shorter given how much the country’s punters love him. He could go off pretty short if the support remains this strong.”

Longtime ante-post favourite Auguste Rodin has been notably weak in the market on Friday and is now available at 7-2, having been as short as 5-2 after declarations were made on Thursday.

Auguste Rodin is the class horse of the race having won easily at Group 1 level as a juvenile but the son of Deep Impact was extremely disappointing when last seen in the 2,000 Guineas. He finished 12th when sent off 13-8 favourite but stablemate Little Big Bear, who was last, has bounced back since.

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