BOOKIES are fearing Frankie Dettori rinsing them all over again as punters pile into his final ever Epsom Derby ride.
Dettori, 52, will hop on the John Gosden-trained Arrest in the world’s most prestigious race at 1.30pm on Saturday.
ReutersPunters pile past a Frankie mural at Epsom as his horse gets backed for his final ever Epsom Derby[/caption]
The Juddmonte-owned runner was a brilliant winner last time out at Chester without setting the world alight.
However, punters aren’t bothered and just want to see Dettori go out with a bang in his favourite race.
Bookies can still remember all too well the hiding the jockey gave them with his Magnificent Seven at Ascot in 1996.
And there have been more than a few others over the years since then too.
Bean counters are fearing a colossal payout all over again with money surging in for his last mount over the Downs – as well as his odds of winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
The 52-year-old dad-of-five is now 6-1 from 16s with BoyleSports to scoop the end-of-year gong.
Meanwhile, Arrest has been backed from 6-1 into 9-2 with Ladbrokes and bookies are sweating over the liabilities stacking up with the world watching tomorrow.
Ladbroke’s Nicola McGeady said: “Frankie Dettori has been the most popular jockey in Derby history and tomorrow he will be more popular than ever before as sentimental punters line up to back their hero for the last time in the race.
“His mount Arrest became a serious contender for the race after triumphing at Chester last month.
“So sentimentality aside, there is a real chance that the dream ending could become a reality.”
Aidan O’Brien’s Auguste Rodin remains the 7-2 favourite although he looks to be on the drift slightly after flopping in the 2000 Guineas last time.
Arrest currently shares second-favouritism with Charlie Appleby’s Godolphin-owned Military Order.
But all eyes will be on Dettori – and punters will be hoping he lines their pockets and performs that famous flying dismount for a third time in the Derby.
Dettori has ridden in the Group 1 28 times and won it twice – with Authorized and Golden Horn in 2007 and 2015 respectively.