Frankie Dettori came within a hair's breadth of being ruled out of the Epsom Classics when picking up a riding ban at Goodwood yesterday that will force him to miss the French Derby.
And it was only the stewards' decision to find the Italian guilty of irresponsible riding of a minor, as opposed to major, nature that saved him from sitting out the Derby and Oaks.
Had the stewards opted for the more damning interpretation of the rule they could have given Dettori anything between five and 10 days, and a ban of eight would have covered both days of Epsom.
It looked a touch-and-go decision and the former champion can thank his lucky stars he is stood down from only June 1st4th inclusive, the third day of which covers the French Classic, the Prix du Jockey-Club, at Chantilly.
Dettori's offence came when partnering the Godolphin colt Hatha Anna into second spot in the Chichester Festival Theatre Conditions Stakes.
He switched his mount off the rail to launch a challenge outside the eventual winner Ulundi, who was edging in towards the fence with Pat Eddery, well over a furlong out and in so doing cannoned into Richard Quinn's mount, Return. Hatha Anna went on to finish a neck second, with Return just over a further seven lengths adrift in fourth.
As Classic trials go the Victor Chandler Lupe Stakes was probably the least informative of the season as the winner Foodbroker Fancy is not entered, will not be supplemented and therefore will not be going for the Vodafone Oaks.
David Elsworth's charge did it the hard way overcoming serious traffic problems before Dane O'Neill produced her to swoop home and deny Arhaaff by a head after that filly who had difficulties of her own had looked all over the winner under Frankie Dettori close home.
Disappointment of the race was 6 to 4 favourite Candice who could only finish third after making a lot of the running with any hopes of an Epsom appearance almost disappearing according to her trainer, Ed Dunlop.
Richard Hughes was the star of the riding show, rattling off a 66 to 1 treble on Seven No Trumps, Reel Buddy and Glenmorangie, the last-named duo giving trainer Richard Hannon an 11-1 double.
