Dettori stands down to await judgment

Frankie Dettori has indicated he will not be riding anywhere in the world until the French stewards announce their judgment over his positive test for a banned substance.

The 41-year-old has been temporarily suspended from competing in France on medical grounds after failing the test on September 16 during a routine check at Longchamp.

A file has been handed to the French stewards, who will make their decision within a fortnight, but the Italian says he accepts the findings “without reservation” and a lengthy ban now seems probable.

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His solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore said: “Frankie Dettori would like to say that he accepts their conclusions without reservation. He is grateful to the medical committee for their time and in particular for listening to his explanation of his position.

“As to the suspension of his licence in France, this is something which he fully anticipated and has not in any event ridden since November 6 when he honoured a pre-existing commitment to ride in the Melbourne Cup. He can now confirm that until the matter is resolved, he will not be riding again anywhere.”

Frankel is adapting well to life with racing with Banstead Manor Stud reporting enquiries from around the globe for his services as a stallion.

Just two weeks after leaving Sir Henry Cecil’s Newmarket stable, the horse regarded by many as the greatest of all time is settling into his surroundings at his owner Prince Khalid Abdullah’s premises. “He’s the most intelligent horse, very curious to see what’s going on,” said Banstead’s general manager Philip Mitchell.

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2011 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Long Run heads a select six-runner field for tomorrows’s Betfair Chase at Haydock, a prestigious contest that has been dominated in recent years by the now retired Kauto Star.

However, the prolonged wet spell means West Witton trainer Ferdy Murphy cannot finalise plans for his chaser Divers, a previous Cheltenham Festival winner.

The grey needs good ground to perform at his optimum and was withdrawn from last weekend’s Paddy Power Gold Cup because of Cheltenham’s stamina-sapping conditions.

Heavy rain also means that today’s jumps card at Ffos Las will have to pass an early morning inspection. Tomorrow’s meeting at Huntingdon has already been abandoned because of waterlogging.

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