Royal Ascot News: Frankie Dettori finds his groove as Inspiral leaves Commonwealth Stakes in a spin

The irrepressible Italian Frankie Dettori put all talk of his retirement to bed with a cup of cocoa via a dominant win on filly Inspiral in the Commonwealth Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Much was made of a couple of problematic Dettori rides, including on Stradivarius who got boxed in during the Gold Cup but the 51-year-old was evergreen on John and Thady Gosden’s Inspiral who claimed a four and three quarter length victory.

George Boughey’s Newmarket 1000 Guineas winner Cachet broke well under James Doyle and led in the early stages with Ralph Beckett’s Prosperous Voyage in her slipstream.

It looked as if history might repeat itself as Dettori found himself short of room on his unbeaten Cheveley Park owned three-year-old but unlike the Gold Cup, he found time and space to find a gap and simply guide Inspiral through the gears.

It was truly an inspiring performance from Dettori in the red and white Cheveley Park silks which have been carried to success so many times in the jumps game but Inspiral's performance was far from flat.

15/8 favourite Inspiral justified her position with a scintillating four and three quarter length success from 9/1 American horse Spenderalla and with Jessica Harrington’s Irish raider a nose back in third. 

Boughey’s 100 Guineas winner looked to have had a tough few months catch up with her alongside Mikel Delzangle’s French 1000 Guineas winner Mangoustine who couldn’t reach the front three.

But, not for the first time in horse racing, the headlines revolve around Dettori who may well find more than a couple of reasons to carry on riding well into his fifties if his flying dismount counts for anything.