Arrest puts Frankie Dettori in Derby picture for his last season in the saddle

“Do the jump, Frankie boy,” someone shouted as Arrest returned after the Group Three Chester Vase here on Wednesday, and for the final time on the Roodee, the winner’s jockey was happy to oblige. Frankie Dettori’s trademark flying dismount is normally reserved for Group One events but he had just landed a major Derby trial by six-and-a-half lengths, and John Gosden’s colt is now 6-1 second-favourite with most bookies to give Dettori a third Derby victory on his final start in the Epsom Classic.

It will not be difficult to pick a hole or two in Arrest’s form and chance if he goes to post on 3 June.

In fact, Dettori himself did so after Wednesday’s race, pointing out that the son of Frankel is a big, heavy type who might not enjoy fast ground at Epsom, and that the race “fell apart two out and I had to make my own way home.” Arrest’s margin of victory may well have been exaggerated by rain-softened ground too, and it was not within hailing distance of the remarkable 22-length success that had seen Savethelastdance installed as favourite for the Oaks half an hour earlier.

But there are plenty of positives too, including proven stamina for the 12-furlong trip at Epsom, confirmation that Arrest has strengthened impressively over the winter and the near-certainty that he will improve for what was only the fourth race of his career.

“I spoke to John and the Juddmonte team [which owns Arrest],” Dettori said, “and he’s not a horse you would want to put on firm ground at Epsom. But last year was a soft ground Derby, so you don’t know.

“He’s got a million alternatives but I have to be a bit suspicious as he’s so big. He might find it a bit of a challenge, but who knows what the weather is going to be like? The pluses are he’s a