Godolphin’s retained rider holds strong claims in this year’s renewal of the 2000 with Ibn Khaldun.

Quoted as third favourite with the sponsors at 9-2, the son of Dubai Destination scored three times under Dettori last season before signing off with a runaway win in the Racing Post Trophy.

The 37-year-old missed out on the Doncaster race while attending the Breeders’ Cup meeting in America and, having returned from a winter in Dubai, is relishing bursting out of the stalls in this monumental renewal of the Classic.

“I stayed in Dubai until we had our trials and then came back for the Craven meeting,” Dettori told PA Sport.

“It all goes a bit dull after that. There is the mixed meeting at Sandown and things have been quiet but my horses are back now and my stable is here now.

“The next six weeks you have the Guineas, then Chester, straight to Lingfield, York, the Derby, Royal Ascot – so it is a mad time – and you then have to throw in the French and Irish Guineas and the French Derby.

“There is so much going on and it is nerve-wracking, but brilliant and very exciting.

“The Guineas is very important and is the best Derby trial, so hopefully my horses will run well this weekend and I’ll have a Derby horse!

“If you look back at the past Guineas you will find the best horse on the day usually wins, which is why the Guineas is so important for owners, trainers and jockeys and for potential stallions.”

Godolphin also had Rio De La Plata and Fast Company engaged at the five-day stage, but their challenge was reduced to just one with the former heading to France and the latter ruled out with a setback.

“Ibn Khaldun is a very versatile horse and seems ideal for the Guineas,” Dettori explained.

“Last year I rode a maiden winner in the race (Truly Royal) and unfortunately he hurt himself.

“His form wasn’t quite as good as Ibn – he has won a Group One.

“The horse looks well and he has never had a day off. He has had a great preparation and I saw him on Thursday and he looks like he has travelled back from Dubai well.

“The preparation has all gone smooth and the cheap talk is out of the window - it is now just a question of how fast he can run.

“The biggest challenge is New Approach. He holds all the aces. He has won at the track, is the highest-rated horse in the field, is a Group One winner and you have to respect him – he is a worthy favourite and the one we all have to beat.

“Raven’s Pass is another obvious one, and you also have to respect Henrythenavigator as Aidan (O’Brien) always does well in the race.”

Dettori laid to rest his Derby ghost last summer at the 15th attempt as Authorized powered home.

He then recorded a Classic double one day later when steering Lawman across the line in the French equivalent.

But the jockey talks down chances of a similar double this weekend, with his 1000 Guineas mount Laureldean Gale a 20-1 chance with the sponsors.

“On form Laureldean Gale still has few pounds to find on the others, but we will have to see what happens on Sunday,” he continued.

“She was second in a Group Three and boiled over in France but she is still just a maiden winner.

“She is entitled to take her chance but, on form, she has more of a place chance than a winning chance.”

Kazzia and 1998 winner Cape Verdi have provided Dettori with happy memories in the 1000 Guineas, while Mark Of Esteem (1996) and Island Sands (1999) have played their part in the 2000.

“I have some great and awful memories of the Guineas,” Dettori continued.

“I first won it on Mark Of Esteem. Godolphin was quite new and we won it in a three-way photo – it was a great finish to a great race.

“I then won on Island Sands on the July course. Cape Verdi put in a tremendous performance to win by five lengths and Kazzia was very tough and genuine.

“But I remember in 1994 I had just started going out with my wife, Catherine, and she was quite new into racing.

“I remember being beaten a short head on Grand Lodge on the Saturday and then being beaten a short head on Balanchine.

“I went to bed at 6pm crying, and she was asking what was wrong with me!”

With Ibn Khaldun holding outstanding claims at Headquarters, Dettori is keen not to look too far ahead.

“We will see what happens tomorrow. I don’t want to be making plans as the horse hasn’t ran since October, and that is what makes the Guineas so interesting,” he added.

“It is so important for the future for horses and the future of ourselves as well.

“We will see what happens tomorrow and then regather on Monday to see what the plan is.”

Talk of jockeys’ championships are quickly dismissed due to the saturated fixture list, but Dettori’s hunger for riding is easily explained.

He says: “I want to win them all. I have no target but I just want to go out there and win as many big races as I can – the Guineas, the Derby, all the races at Royal Ascot.

“Obviously you can’t win them all but I will try.”

Try he will this weekend, with his prowess in the saddle matched by his acumen off the track.

Together with his business partner and Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White, Dettori owns a chain of restaurants and will be offering racegoers a chance to sample his cuisine this weekend.

“We have a marquee near the entrance at Newmarket and are having three sittings at 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm,” he added, with places still available at noon and 4pm.