ONE thing’s for sure in 2023. Win or lose, Frankie Dettori is going to be constantly in the headlines during his final year in the saddle. Anywhere he turns up during his farewell tour is guaranteed to draw a crowd, especially if he ventures over to Ireland at any stage.

But what are the chances of him signing off with a few big winners this year? Well, the bookies don’t seem to be taking any chances. In their list of novelty bets for 2023, Sky Bet offer just 6/4 about Dettori riding a winner at the Breeders’ Cup in Santa Anita next November. Considering he hasn’t had a winner at that meeting since 2018, that’s not very generous. Maybe Bob Baffert will oblige, but there must be better 6/4 shots.

Paddy Power offers odds on a number of National Hunt stars remaining unbeaten in 2023, though the horse must run at least three times before you can collect. None of them jumps out as great value but, if we had to pick one, Jonbon at 5/1 looks safest. It’s easy to see him winning the Arkle, following up at Aintree and then coming back for either the Tingle Creek in December or the Shloer Chase at Cheltenham in November, possibly both. He probably won’t meet Energumene in either of those autumnal races, and he should have the measure of Blue Lord if that one is sent over to test him.

Facile Vega

Of course Facile Vega’s name pops up all over the place in the 2023 lists. We’ve had some memorable Irish bankers in the opening Supreme Novices’ Hurdle over the years and the hype this year promises to be off the charts. No doubt the mischief makers in Paddy Power are already planning some kind of publicity stunt to get the punters into their shops on the Tuesday. Money back if he loses? Double the odds if he wins by five lengths or more?

In the meantime, could we interest you in some 4/1 from Sky Bet about Facile Vega, Jonbon and Constitution Hill all to win at the Festival? At least you’ll know your fate by Tuesday afternoon.

Willie Mullins has been leading trainer at Cheltenham nine times and, at time of writing, he has 11 clear favourites for the 2023 Festival. Still, taking 4/5 about both Mullins and Paul Townend being the leading trainer and jockey respectively is unattractive. How many falls might all our leading jockeys have between now and Cheltenham? Who can say for sure who will be fit to ride on the day? I’d rather take evens on Honeysuckle to finish in the first three in the Champion Hurdle, even though I know there’s a fair chance she could swerve the race.

Flat jockeys are a bit of a safer betting proposition. And there are few more reliable than Hollie Doyle. She is 7/4 with Sky Bet to ride 100 winners or more during the official flat jockeys’ championship, which runs from the Guineas meeting to Champions Day. She had 91 this year and 87 the year before. It’s tempting, but the question is how will the return of Oisin Murphy affect the other big names?

So, what’s the best bet from the list below. How about 5/4 with Paddy Power there’s a false start in the Grand National? All we have to do is give a jockey an ‘encouragement’ to break the tape. Failing that, we could fling ourselves in front of the entire field as the tapes go up. Paddy, what are the odds on that?

PADDY POWER

BOYLESPORTS

SKY BET

Winners from last year’s list of bets

PENDING