Motivator chase cost us- Dettori

Frankie Dettori believes third-placed Dubawi might have won the Vodafone Derby had brilliant winner Motivator not been in the field.

The Italian was beaten a total of eight lengths by the favourite on his Irish 2000 Guineas winner, who was having his first try beyond a mile in the premier Classic.

Dettori feels that by trying to reel in Motivator during the final two furlongs on Saturday, he cost himself and Dubawi second place, which went to the fast-finishing French raider Walk In The Park.

“If Motivator was not in the race he might have won the Derby as I was the only one to chase him and it cost me second place,” Dettori told At The Races.

“The horse was very tired in the last furlong and I only gave him the one crack as I knew it was going to be a long season this year.

“He has bounced out of the race really well and if he is fine he will go in the St James’s Palace.”

The Dubai Millennium colt will be dropping back from a mile and a half to his favoured distance in next week’s race, which is one of the feature contests on the opening day of Royal Ascot at York.