Dettori has confidence in Refuse To Bend
Frankie Dettori is under no illusion to the tasking facing his mount, Refuse To Bend, in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park at the weekend.
Godolphin’s colt had been without a win since last season’s 2000 Guineas but he bounced back to form with victory in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Refuse To Bend is a general 7-1 chance for Saturday’s showpiece event, with Prince Of Wales’s Stakes victor Rakti the hot favourite at a top-priced 11-10.
“Rakti is an exceptional horse but I was pleased to see my horse put his head in front at Ascot. It was a very tough race but hopefully it will be the way forward,” Dettori told At The Races.
“I saw Rakti last year and I’ve seen him this year and I think the horse must have put on at least 30 kilos and he looks a complete mountain of a horse now.
“I think Rakti has strengthened up a lot. He has improved between four and five and he looks a better horse than last year.
“Refuse To Bend is taking on one hell of a good field but he had a good wake-up call at Ascot.”
Refuse To Bend finished a disappointing eighth of 15 behind Russian Rhythm on his return to European racing in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in April but Dettori always had faith in the son of Sadler’s Wells.
The Italian said: “He is a horse who looked magnificent all winter. He always worked well, he always gave me a good feel and I always thought he’d win another Group One.
“I must say I was confused myself but I stuck with him and he delivered.
“He had a very hard campaign last year, running in the Guineas, Derby and Breeders’ Cup and it probably took its toll on his confidence.
“It took him a couple of races to realise that he was still one of the good horses and he showed that at Ascot.”
On his only run beyond a mile, Refuse To Bend appeared not to stay the 12 furlongs in the Derby.
However, Dettori believes the Eclipse distance of a mile and a quarter will prove to be the four-year-old’s ideal trip.
He said: “From the first minute I rode the horse in Dubai I always thought 10 furlongs would be his trip and it was always the plan to step him up to a mile and a quarter so this is his chance now.”
