Dettori hoping to return for Derby

Frankie Dettori still hopes to be able to ride at next week’s Investec Derby meeting after making some progress towards having his licence reinstated.

The 42-year-old rider had planned to be back in action this week after serving a six-month ban handed out by France Galop after he tested positive for cocaine at Longchamp last September.

However, a “private matter” between Dettori and the Medical Committee of France Galop has so far prevented the French regulator from clearing the jockey to return, with the British Horseracing Authority reciprocating that stance.

Dettori has been in France for the last two days trying to iron out the problem with France Galop and his solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore believes progress has been made.

He told Press Association Sport: “The matter has moved forward and we are expecting a positive result.

“We are hopeful the glitch has been ironed out so that he can get his English licence in time to ride in the Derby.2