Frankie Dettori is expecting a “massive run” from Hazapour in the Derby on Saturday after travelling to the Curragh to partner Dermot Weld’s charge in a gallop on Tuesday morning.

With his stable jockey Pat Smullen having been out of action since late March after being diagnosed with a tumour, Weld has turned to Dettori to partner his Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner at Epsom.

Dettori told At The Races: “I came to ride Hazapour this morning for Mr Weld and it was nice to see Pat Smullen watching the work as well.

“It was pretty much a routine gallop. I didn’t come to press any buttons, I just came to have a feel of the horse and get to know his character.

“I was very pleased with what I saw. He was a very willing partner and he won his Derby trial very well, so it’s all systems go for Saturday.”

Hazapour stretches clear in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown
Hazapour stretches clear in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown (PA)
Dettori has won the Derby twice before, through Authorized in 2007 and Golden Horn in 2015, with Weld’s sole success coming courtesy of Harzand just two years ago.

Harzand was the latest of leading owner-breeder the Aga Khan’s five Derby winners, going back to Shergar in 1981.

“His form is very good. The Aga Khan is steeped in Derby history and it’s a privilege for me to wear his colours,” Dettori added.

Frankie Dettori celebrates after claiming Derby glory on Golden Horn three years ago
Frankie Dettori celebrates after claiming Derby glory on Golden Horn three years ago (David Davies/PA)
“I’m riding a horse that has won one of the well known trials in Ireland. Of course I’m looking forward to it and I’m hoping for a massive run.

“He (Weld) is very pleased with the horse. He’s a master trainer who has done it before and he’s not going to come to Epsom for the day out.

“He’s going to give a good account of himself.”

MURPHY HOPEFUL

Oisin Murphy is looking forward to partnering the John Gosden-trained Roaring Lion in the Derby.

Roaring Lion bolted up in the Dante at York
Roaring Lion bolted up in the Dante at York (Simon Coopers/PA)
Lambourn-based Murphy said: “I suppose I don’t ever get excited about too many races, but I’m thrilled to be riding Roaring Lion and going into the Derby with a live chance, as these horses are hard to find.

“I’ve ridden in the Derby a few times now and I was fifth on Benbatl and I had a good experience on Red Galileo. This lad, though, looks like he has a decent chance.

“You don’t get many opportunities at winning these sort of races, so to have a big chance is great.

“I don’t know about celebrating crossing the line, but I’m sure when I pull up safely there would be some big celebrations!”

Oisin Murphy receives his prize following the Dante
Oisin Murphy receives his prize following the Dante (Simon Cooper/PA)
After suffering defeats in the Craven and 2000 Guineas, the son of Kitten’s Joy showed his true colours with victory in the Dante, a race both of Gosden’s previous Derby winners, Benny The Dip (1997) and Golden Horn in (2015), took en route to triumphing at Epsom.

While the mile-and-a-half trip remains the one unknown for the Qatar Racing-owned colt, Murphy is optimistic it should prove within his reach given the manner of his success at York.

Murphy said: “His run in the Dante was very impressive. He is a very well balanced horse and I think he should go round Epsom no problem.

“The Dante was a different style of race. The pace was slower and I was able to really come through the gears and obviously York was around the turn and it was his first time around a bend on grass. He handled all that very well. I think that style of race suits him.

“In the Craven and the Guineas it was a much faster, stronger pace. He felt a very good horse at York and very professional horse and that’s exciting.

“He is quite a laid-back horse and he certainly proved that at York and that is a huge positive for Epsom.

“It was the Roaring Lion we were hoping to see. He was very impressive last year for a big, raw horse and we always thought he would be a better three-year-old.

“So realistically his form from last year is very strong and he probably ran to that in the Dante.

“The Derby will be a stronger race and nobody knows if he will stay 12 furlongs, but personally I think there is every chance he will.

“There are absolutely no guarantees he will stay it, but his temperament and the fact he relaxes helps, and on pedigree many of Kitten’s Joy stay 12 (furlongs), like Hawkbill, so that is certainly another plus.

“You also never really sure how he will handle the occasion, as it’s a completely different atmosphere to what he has experienced, but he has had a few big days out and I’d be very hopeful he would handle it.”Roaring Lion finished behind ante-post favourite Saxon Warrior in both the Racing Post Trophy and 2000 Guineas and while Murphy fully respects the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt, he feels it is more than just a one-horse contest.

He said: “Wouldn’t it be lovely to beat Saxon Warrior and if ever there was a race to do it in, this would be the race. It is really something to look forward to.

“Certainly on form Saxon Warrior looks the horse to beat, but Young Rascal won well at Chester and could run a big race.

Chester winner Young Rascal is one of the dangers to Roaring Lion
Chester winner Young Rascal is one of the dangers to Roaring Lion (Tim Goode/PA)
“Hazapour did OK in his trial, he will need to step up a bit, but Dermot Weld knows how to win the Derby for the Aga Khan, so it’s not a one- or two-horse race by any means.

“I think Roaring Lion deserves another shot at a classic.”

RAIN AT EPSOM

Although Ireland is enjoying a heatwave this week there has been heavy rain in the south of England and Epsom has not escaped. The ground was described as good to soft on Tuesday afternoon, with

more showers expected later in the week.

In other Epsom news, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Magical is a non-runner in Friday's Oaks after sustaining a minor leg injury this week. Runner-up in the Moyglare Stud Stakes last season and fourth in both the Prix Marcel Boussac and Fillies' Mile, the Galileo filly was again fourth on her seasonal reappearance on heavy ground in a Group 3 race at ParisLongchamp in April. She was a best-priced 6/1 for the Oaks.

WIN A TONNE OF BLUEGRASS HORSE FEED IN THE IRISH FIELD THIS WEEKEND