Dettori in the spotlight at Epsom
Frankie Dettori will be in the spotlight at Friday's Epsom Derby Festival after being cleared to return from his six-month suspension.
France Galop banned the 42-year-old after he tested positive for cocaine at Longchamp last September, with his ban reciprocated by the British Horseracing Authority. The Italian had last week been due to make his comeback but was thwarted in his efforts after a test carried out by France Galop produced, according to the BHA, an "irregularity".
Dettori met with France Galop's medical committee on Tuesday to discuss a "private matter", the resolution of which means the rider can now return to competitive action. After being given clearance by France Galop on Thursday afternoon, the BHA moved swiftly to grant Dettori his riding licence.
A BHA statement read: "The British Horseracing Authority has reissued Frankie Dettori with a full professional British jockey's licence.
"This follows confirmation from France Galop that he has successfully fulfilled all of their criteria to be fit to ride. Dettori is now clear to return to race riding following the suspension imposed on him by France Galop at a hearing on December 5, 2012 into a failed test for a prohibited substance.
"Dettori met with the BHA Licensing Committee on May 14, who on this date stated their satisfaction that he was fit to return to race riding in Britain pending confirmation that he had fulfilled the criteria of France Galop.
"It is one of the criteria of his being granted a licence that Dettori may be subject to enhanced testing controls for a period of up to 60 months."
Dettori will now head for Epsom where he will have two rides, partnering Ed Dunlop's Beatrice Aurore in the opening Princess Elizabeth Stakes before riding the Marco Botti-trained Fattsota in the Investec Wealth & Investment Handicap.
However, the jockey's agent, Ray Cochrane, does not expect him to be riding on Investec Derby day itself.
Cochrane said: "He's going to Epsom on Friday and he'll be riding in the first two races. There is nothing for him on Saturday."
