Usually in May I am still casting an enviously nostalgic eye backwards to Aintree and Cheltenham, reluctant yet to pack away my stouter shoes and rainproof Barbour. This year it is different: I have rarely looked forward more to the Flat.
It all began with two glorious races for the Guineas. Rock-star wrinklies make farewell tours an annual event, but this really is to be Frankie Dettori’s last year in the saddle and in this year’s 2000 his victory on Chaldean was a perfect reminder of his skills. Andrew Balding, scoring his second training success in the race in four years with the first horse sent to him by Juddmonte, was characteristically happy to deflect the glory Frankie’s way, saying: ‘What a brilliant ride. Ever since I’ve been involved in the sport Frankie’s been an omnipresent superstar and what a fitting way to end his last 2000 Guineas.’ Go racing this year and catch him while you still can.
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