Frankie Dettori will ride Tobougg in the Derby at Epsom - but Godolphin stable-mate Wareed is being saved for Royal Ascot.

A statement on the stable's official website confirmed their intentions for the big race on Saturday.

The Classic is one of the few big races to have so far eluded popular Italian-born jockey Dettori.

He rides for the Godolphin team, who are unable to run their leading hope Celtic Silence because of injury.

That effectively left the rider with a choice between Tobougg, who finished down the field in the 2000 Guineas, and Wareed, beaten into second place in his trial for Epsom.

In a statement on Monday, Godolphin said Dettori would be on Tobougg and a decision on Wareed's participation will be made later in the week.

Tobougg, bought by Godolphin from trainer Mick Channon, boasted some top-class form as a two-year-old last season with a stirring win in the Dewhurst Stakes just eight months ago.

And Dettori believes the horse, who was ninth behind winner Golan in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, is more than capable of making the frame.

"From what I have seen, they are all plodders this year with the exception of Golan, but Tobougg proved last year that he can quicken like a top-class horse," he said.

Jockeys must weigh up whether horses are likely to have the stamina to stay out the demanding one-and-a-half-mile Epsom trip over an undulating course.

"The boss (Sheikh Mohammed) will decide, but I would rather take a punt on riding Tobougg because his form at two was red-hot, even though I know for a fact Wareed will stay," added Dettori.

"Tobougg was flat in the Guineas, but he gave me a nice feel in his work, and if he rediscovers his two-year-old form, he will be thereabouts. If he stays, he will go close."

Although Dettori has yet to win the Derby, he he has twice triumphed in the Oaks, the fillies' Classic.

He has also won the Coronation Cup, a Group One race for top older horses, on three occasions.

Tobougg was one of the leading ante-post favourites for the Derby during the winter, but drifted to a general 33/1 chance after flopping in the 2000 Guineas.

But, as predicted by BBC Sport Online on Sunday, the horse's price has contracted as punters latch onto the the 'Frankie Factor', believing the jockey can make a difference.

Tobougg was cut from 33s to 20/1 by bookmakers William Hill on Monday, and later went to 16/1, but others had taken evasive action earlier with Ladbrokes offering only 14/1.

Dettori missed last year's Derby as he recovered from injuries sustained in a plane crash.