Frankie: Shalaa comes alive when he’s at the racecourse
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It’s going to be great being back at Ascot this weekend. Given the time of year and the fantastic week I’ve had celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Magnificent Seven it’s bound to be an extra special meeting.
To be honest, I’m exhausted! But it’s been amazing seeing myself in the national news again and it just goes to show the impact the Magnificent Seven had on racing and the wider sporting world as people are still talking about it.
But now it’s time to get down to business.
Shalaa is making his return in the John Guest Bengough Stakes and it’s nice to have him back.
I’ve ridden him a couple of times in the last few weeks and I’m happy to report he’s strengthened up from last year.
He can be a lazy worker at home so this is as fit as we can get him and he’ll definitely come on for the race.
At this stage I’d say he’s 85 per cent ready. He only does what he needs to do at home so it’s very hard to get him just right first time out but make no mistake, he’s ready to go.
He’ll respond well to the journey down and the atmosphere generated by the crowd. It’s at the races where he really comes alive.
So, the plan is to run him this Saturday to get this race under his belt and then after that we’ll look at the Champions Sprint.
In terms of the rest of the weekend, So Mi Dar will be one to watch out for at Chantilly on Sunday.
And as for the Arc, you can read my thoughts on how thrilled I am to pick up the ride on Order of St George here.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
