Racing: Dettori may miss Craven day for France

Frankie Dettori could head to France instead of Newmarket next Thursday unless he can pick up quality mounts on a card featuring the Macau Jockey Club Craven Stakes, one of the main trials for the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas.

The Italian returns to Britain after he has ridden in Godolphin’s fillies’ trials in Dubai at the weekend and his presence would be a highlight for many racegoers at Newmarket next week.

But Dettori warned that he could head for Longchamp on Thursday, where he has been asked to ride Scandinavian-trained Sagittarius in the Group Three Prix d’Hedouville.

‘‘It won’t be easy getting rides until the Godolphin horses come back to Britain,’’ Dettori said.

‘‘If I pick up some decent mounts then of course I will be at Newmarket, but rather than ride horses that might struggle I could well go to France. Why not? It’s a Group Three race.

‘‘Khalid Abdullah has his own jockey, Sir Michael Stoute has his jockeys, Richard Hannon has jockeys and so does Henry Cecil. It’s not easy getting outside rides. John Gosden always supports me and so do others - we’ll just have to see what comes my way.’’

The d’Hedouville promises to be a hot contest, with Henry Cecil’s former inmate Wellbeing now in the care of Pascal Bary entered along with Mark Johnston’s pair Double Honour and Yavana’s Pace.

However, Sagittarius proved he was a class act for Rune Haugen when beaten a length and a quarter by Nayef in last season’s Group Three Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot.