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Dettori set for Snow Fairy ride

Image: Dettori: Set for Snow Fairy ride

Ed Dunlop expects Frankie Dettori to partner Snow Fairy if she takes her chance in the Irish Champion Stakes on Saturday.

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Frankie on Fairy if she takes her chance

Trainer Ed Dunlop expects Frankie Dettori to partner Snow Fairy if the star mare takes her chance in Saturday's Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown. The incredible five-year-old made a superb return from injury when landing the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville last month, her sixth Group One victory when ridden by the injured Ryan Moore. Dettori partnered Snow Fairy on three occasions last season - finishing second in the Irish Champion Stakes and the Nassau Stakes, and taking third spot in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Although the Italian could be required to ride Soul for Godolphin in the Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock earlier on Saturday afternoon, he is set to hotfoot it to Ireland by helicopter for the Irish Champion Stakes. Dettori is likely to be joined on his journey across the Irish Sea by William Buick, who will partner Ortensia in the Haydock feature and Snow Fairy's major rival, Nathaniel, at Leopardstown. Dunlop has, however, not made a final decision on whether his stable star will make the journey to Dublin. The Newmarket trainer said: "We don't have to make a final decision for 48 hours, but if Snow Fairy runs on Saturday, Frankie Dettori will ride her. "I believe he is going to catch a helicopter from Haydock with William Buick. "I am very happy with our mare." Confirming Dettori's plans, the jockey's agent, Ray Cochrane, said: "I believe the plan at this stage is for him to go to Haydock and then fly over to Ireland with William Buick. "I believe Soul needs a drop of rain if he is going to run in the Sprint Cup, but they had a bit this morning and the last I heard, he is likely to go there."

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