Dettori no longer feeling Bleu after Angel laps up Lagardere

It can be a very trying and completely different 24 hours in racing. Less than 18 hours earlier Frankie Dettori had lost his ride in the Qatar Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe on Love due to the filly being withdrawn from the race due to a high temperature. However, if any semblance of agony was there, he handled it brilliantly by powering Angel Bleu to victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere for trainer Ralph Beckett and owner Marc Chan.

Angel Bleu and Frankie Dettori on their way to victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere

PHOTO: © Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

Sent off at 11/2 after his victory in the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on his latest start, he was produced to perfection to win by just short of a length from Noble Truth, with a further 3 quarters of a length to Ancient Rome.

A fair break from all the runners on the seven furlong trip saw Noble Truth rousted along to get the lead before the bend towards the false straight. Turning in Arnis Master was outpaced rather rapidly and made no impression on their rivals as the pace quickened further and the sprint for home began.

400 metres out, Noble Truth got 2 lengths on his rivals, Ebro River a bit caught for pace, the Phoenix Stakes winner not under pressure and failing to strike a blow.

The eye was drawn however to Frankie aboard Angel Bleu on the far rail, who scythed his way past his remaining rivals and took aim at the leader, wearing him down with 100 metres to go and scoring by just under a length, to jubilant actions from his winning rider.

Angel Bleu and Frankie Dettori on their way to victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere

PHOTO: © Jack Williams / JTW Equine Images

Noble Truth held on for second from Ancient Rome, with the fast finishing Accakaba flying home for fourth, and possibly requiring a mile next time out.

Speaking post race, Frankie said that despite not having a ride in the Arc, “a Group Race winner on this card is always special”.

“I’m delighted for the owner ( Marc Chan ), having acquired several horses with a view to winning the Hong Kong Derby.

Ralph Beckett, the winning trainer, was recording his first Group 1 win in France, and stated that it was the ground that made them decide to declare the horse.

“The turn certainly helped him”. “He had to be tough today and he was”.

“The Breeders Cup is a possibility”, he reported to the assembled press in the Media Centre. “It will all depend on how he recovers. I’m not ruling out the Dewhurst Stakes”.

Angel Bleu and Frankie Dettori on their way back after victory in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere

PHOTO: © Tom Williams / JTW Equine Images

It must be noted however that he has not been declared for the Dewhurst on Saturday 9th October when writing this, so either he will be heading off to Del Mar on his next appearance, or have been roughed off for the season.

Angel Bleu is a general 20/1 for the 2000 Guineas in May 2022, having shortened from 40/1.

Of the beaten horses, trainer Charlie Appleby reported that the second Noble Truth was “still a bit immature”, but “has been adapting well to French conditions”.

“We are delighted with his effort”.