Bookies Fear Frankie Will Write Script For Author

Authorized is all the rage for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday, with bookmakers openly running scared of the Epsom Derby hero.

Coral go 5-4 from 6-4 about Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt, who will be the mount of Frankie Dettori.

Spokesman David Stevens admitted: 'A combination of Frankie Dettori in the saddle and proven ability on heavy going means Authorized could shorten even further in the betting before Sunday.'

Dettori can hardly wait for the big day as he chases what would be a fourth Arc success following Lammtarra (1995), Sakhee (2001) and Marienbard (2002).

He does, however, concede that a healthy helping of luck would not go amiss.

He said: 'It's the Arc and you need a bit of luck. There have been unlucky losers in the past and you need to be in the right place at the right time. I've definitely got the horse, I just need a bit of luck now.

'He has got a tremendous cruising speed for a middle-distance horse and that's what you need, especially when you get into the false straight at Longchamp ? that is where everybody is jockeying for position.

'If you are on a horse that is off the bridle there you can get shuffled back and be short of room.

'He seems to have the cruising speed and also has a good kick for a mile-and-a-half horse. I don't question his ability. But it is a championship race and you need that bit of luck.'

Authorized's only other previous outing on a right-handed track saw him beaten in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, but Dettori is not losing sleep on that score.

He told At The Races: 'Any horse that can win around Epsom ? which is the ultimate test ? will find Longchamp a walk in the park.

'I don't foresee any problems going right-handed.'

(C) PA Sport