Epsom: Fun time for Frankie?

Bloggers / Kieran Packman / 03 June 2010 / Leave a Comment

Frankie Dettori - Excellent chance of a second Derby success

"The French form for the masterful Andre Fabre stands up to close inspection, he'll definitely stay and I felt his trial win was by some way the most visually impressive"

Kieran Packman reflects on the unique nature of the Epsom experience and throws in a tip for the big one.

Derby day has long since been a precious moment in my calendar, the equivalent of FA Cup Final day for football fans or Mardi Gras for voyeurs. North Light contributed significantly to my first house, Doctor Fremantle meant it took a little longer to get my next house.

I remember vividly my assertion at the start of the millennium that I'd be present at every Derby from then on. That lasted a full five years before marriage, a ridiculously scheduled christening and other mundanities somehow got in the way. I envy those who've built up decades worth of memories with an annual pilgrimage to the Downs.

It's easy to become cynical and worn down by sheer volume when working away in Timeform Towers, but Derby day is a rare chink of light for the unappreciative, so it's time for an uncharacteristic bout of optimism as we bid to replicate the good days - Sea The Stars, the aforementioned North Light and Galileo - and banish the plentiful painful memories of not so good days - Archipenko, Gypsy King, Visindar and Doctor Fremantle. Particuarly Doctor Fremantle. 'Surely he'll hang on for third?'. Of course he won't. Sigh.

Through all the ups and downs (mainly downs, obviously) of ante-post punting on the Derby, I'm struggling to think of any occasion when I've come remotely close to siding with Frankie. Nothing against Frankie, he is, of course, top class, but he's been consistently let down by a succession of Godawful contenders lacking stamina, balance or, in most cases, raw ability. Authorized was always too short for any value punter. Apart from when he sauntered across the line five clear.

But this year, the superbly bred Rewilding has crept onto the scene without fanfare and Frankie's on a proper chance. The French form for the masterful Andre Fabre stands up to close inspection, he'll definitely stay and I felt his trial win was by some way the most visually impressive, for all, I concede, there was a distinct lack of top-notchers strung out behind.

He's second top on Timeform ratings with surely more to come with the step up in trip, yet he languishes as fifth favourite around the [8.8] mark. The big query, I suppose, is the simple fact he hails from the yard that he does, and their abject record in this race, but at least it's a different name on his particular license which offers some hope.

With the hoodoo now a couple of years off his back, Frankie will approach this relaxed and confident. I'll try and be the same. It can't be as bad as Doctor Fremantle.