Kinross set for fresh start as he looks to prove there’s life after Frankie Dettori when he returns to action at Newcastle

Kinross, one of the most popular Flat horses in training, will aim to prove there is life after Frankie Dettori when he makes his season reappearance.

The seven-year-old gelding was a favourite of Dettori. He has raced 19 times since May 2021 and was partnered by the charismatic Italian on 15 of those. The pair combined for seven victories but it should have been eight, with Dettori blaming himself for a defeat at Ascot last October.

But with Dettori now pursuing a career in the United States, the responsibility of riding Kinross in the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on Saturday afternoon (2.04) has fallen to Hector Crouch — one of trainer Ralph Beckett’s go-to riders.

This is an important afternoon for the stable, with significant runners in Ireland and at Newmarket but all eyes will be on Kinross, who has earned £1.7million in prizemoney and won two Group One races.

‘We felt running over six furlongs on fast ground at Ascot (last week) would be too much for him at his age and the extra week probably isn’t a bad thing,’ said owner Marc Chan’s racing manager, Jamie McCalmont.

Kinross will aim to prove there is life after Frankie Dettori as he makes his return to action

The seven-year-old gelding was a favourite of Dettori, who partnered with him 15 times

Hector Crouch will ride Kinross in the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle 

‘Starting back on a synthetic surface looks a suitable thing to do and he should be competitive. If he comes out of Newcastle well, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t run back two weeks later in the July Cup (at Newmarket).’

Beckett will have a firm eye on events at the Curragh as Bluestocking, the filly he trains for Juddmonte, will aim to win the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes.

‘She’s doing great at home,’ said her jockey Rossa Ryan. ‘It’s going to be a big test but I imagine she will take a big step forward.’