Dettori forges further ahead in title race

FRANKIE DETTORI could afford to give up his last ride at Nottingham yesterday after a double took him seven clear of Kieren Fallon in the race for the jockeys’ title.

Dettori leads the reigning champion 165-158 thanks to a near 8-1 brace on Sharaiji Blossom and Baboosh while Fallon replied on Penalty Kick.

The Italian struck first when making all on 11-8 favourite Sharaiji Blossom for Godolphin in the opening European Breeders Fund Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

And he doubled up on Baboosh (11-4) for Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe in the Letheby & Christopher Maiden Stakes with Fallon an unlucky third on the favourite Admiral Compton.

Fallon hit back with a smooth success on Neville Callaghan’s Penalty Kick, the 9-2 favourite, in the Betting With iBetX.com Nursery. Fallon just failed to take advantage of Dettori’s decision not to partner Sir Haydn in the concluding Back Or Lay With iBetX.com Handicap when finishing second on Planters Punch.

The two protagonists go their separate ways today with Dettori back at Nottingham for five rides while Fallon has six at Salisbury. Coral reacted to Dettori’s double by cutting the odds on the Italian winning the title to 4-9 from 1-2. Fallon is now a 13-8 chance from 6-4.