Dettori and Hughes urge Moore to take Kentucky Derby chance with Mendelssohn

Frankie Dettori and Richard Hughes believe Ryan Moore should partner Mendelssohn in the Kentucky Derby instead of riding in the Qipco 2000 Guineas on the same day.

Moore looks set to have a tough choice to make in the week leading up to May 5 after the Aidan O'Brien-trained Mendelssohn booked his trip Stateside with a stunning display in the UAE Derby on World Cup night at Meydan last Saturday. If he does decide to make the trip to America, he will likely be giving up the ride on either Saxon Warrior or Gustav Klimt in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, a race he has won twice in the last three years aboard Gleneagles in 2015 and Churchill 12 months ago.

Speaking at Lingfield on Wednesday, Dettori, who has won the Guineas five times but never the Kentucky Derby, said: "I'd go to America. He's won the Guineas and from what we've seen in Dubai he's got a horse with a great chance. If you ask anyone if they could win the Kentucky Derby once in your life, you'd say 'yes'."

Hughes belatedly broke his duck in the British Classics when Sky Lantern won the Qipco 1000 Guineas in 2013. He retired from riding in 2015 and is now enjoying a training career, but he was quick to answer when asked what his choice would be.

Hughes told At The Races: "Kentucky, no doubt. He has the chance of winning that race and it would be huge on his CV."

Paddy Power make Moore 4-6 to head to Kentucky and 11-10 to ride at Newmarket. Betway offer 4-7 and 6-5 respectively.

Betway's Alan Alger said: "Winning the Guineas for a third time or getting the leg up on the clear favourite in the Kentucky Derby? That's the question Ryan Moore faces and at 4-7 we think he'll be heading Stateside to ride Mendelssohn. The son of Scat Daddy's performance on Saturday was stunning and, with Moore clearly already a big fan of the Kentucky Derby, we think he'll miss out on a big day at Newmarket to get aboard this special horse in one of the world's most exciting races."