2023 Flat season preview: Five to follow and Frankie Dettori's fond farewell
As the National Hunt campaign winds down, the Flat season is primed to take centre stage, allowing horse racing expert Andrew of Fiosrach to take a look ahead at what the summer might bring.
The turf Flat season makes its comeback on Saturday April 1, (no, not a joke!) with the Lincoln Handicap taking top billing on its traditional opening day renewal at Doncaster.
The transitional period between the National Hunt and Flat season can always be a tricky time for betting as the new campaign takes shape, so caution is always recommended in those early stages.
Auguste Rodin (A P O'Brien)
Already fancied to win the Epsom Derby in June, Auguste Rodin had four outings in his juvenile season, finishing second on debut and then winning impressively at Naas, Leopardstown and Doncaster, the latter two outings over a mile.
That last victory was in heavy going, and he has only run with some cut in the ground to date, so it will be interesting to see how he progresses through the summer.
Dramatised (K R Burke)
Preferring good or quicker ground, Dramatised followed up her debut success at Newmarket last April by winning the Queen Mary Stakes under Danny Tudhope at Royal Ascot in June.
Mischief Magic (Charlie Appleby)
Mischief Magic went to post half a dozen times during his juvenile season, winning four times, and showing a preference for good or quicker ground.
He bounced back from his most disappointing run - fourth by four lengths at Newmarket in September - to win the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Keeneland in November, finishing strongly to overtake Dramatised (see above) in the closing stages.
Noble Style (Charlie Appleby)
Unbeaten in his three outings in 2022, Noble Style got off the mark over the minimum distance at Ascot in May, before extending the trip to win over six furlongs at Newmarket's July meeting.
Meditate (A P O'Brien)
The busiest of our shortlisted three-year-olds, Meditate had seven outings last year on various ground types (except heavy), kicking off with four straight wins that included the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Frankie's farewell tour
This Flat season of course marks the retirement tour of Frankie Dettori and the comeback of previous Champion Jockey Oisin Murphy.
Who will win the 2023 Jockeys' Championship?
The Jockeys' Championship is certainly much more open this year, with Murphy joined by William Buick, Ryan Moore and Tom Marquand as likely high-profile challengers.
No matter who takes the best jockey mantle, we will all have our opportunity to say goodbye to Frankie Dettori, who, like so many good things, will only be truly valued when he is no longer around.
Who will win the 2023 Trainers' Championship?
It will be interesting to see how Aidan O'Brien's string performs when appearing in the UK, as he had a disappointing season by his own high standards in 2022.