Frankie Dettori has travelled to Ireland to give his Epsom Derby mount, the Dermot Weld-trained Hazapour, a work-out ahead of the Classic.
With his stable jockey Pat Smullen out of action since late March after being diagnosed with a tumour, Weld has turned to Dettori to partner the Derby Trial winner at Epsom.
“I came to ride Hazapour this morning for Mr Weld and it was nice to see Pat Smullen watching the work as well,” Dettori told At The Races .
“It was pretty much a routine gallop. I didn’t come to press any buttons. I just came to have a feel of the horse and get to know his character.
“I was very pleased with what I saw. He was a very willing partner and he won his Derby trial very well, so it’s all systems go for Saturday.”
Dettori has won the world’s premier Classic twice before with Authorized in 2007 and Golden Horn in 2015, while Weld’s sole success was with Harzand two years ago.
Harzand was the latest of leading owner-breeder the Aga Khan’s five Derby winners with Shergar in 1981 the first.
“His form is very good. The Aga Khan is steeped in Derby history and it’s a privilege for me to wear his colours,” Dettori said.
“I’m riding a horse that has won one of the well-known trials in Ireland.
“He (Weld) is very pleased with the horse. He’s a master trainer who has done it before and he’s not going to come to Epsom for the day out.”
The Epsom track has been rated soft ahead of Saturday.
