Frankie: Royal Ascot was tough to watch but I can’t wait to get back

It’s just over two weeks now since I had my fall at Yarmouth but I’m slowly getting better. The first week was quiet as I didn’t want to do too much, but now I am here in Sardinia starting to rehabilitate myself and get back into shape.

At the moment, I’m spending my days swimming to help my shoulder, a bit of sunbathing, eating good food, and spending time with my parents.

I’m very pleased with my progression and I will be back in the UK next week to have my last check-up and hopefully I will be able to start riding out again. I want to be ready in two weeks’ time for Newmarket.

Of course, I watched Royal Ascot and I admit it wasn’t pleasant. I had some very good rides that I was so looking forward to.

I basically spent all year waiting for Ascot and then five days before the meeting I fell. At the time it looked like a very ordinary fall but I twisted my shoulder and cracked it so that was frustrating.

I missed out on riding Lady Aurelia, Big Orange, and a couple John Gosden’s runners too. At the same time I was obviously really pleased for the connections of my horses.

I mean, Lady Aurelia is a superstar. She is very close to my heart and I was so pleased for Wesley Ward.

Even though I was missing the meeting, I still spoke to James Doyle and John Gosden and tried to give them as much advice as possible.

At the end of the day these are horses I want to ride in the future and do well. I just have to forget about it now and think that we are only half-way through the season. There is still lots to look forward to.

Cracksman can take his Classic chance at the Curragh

I watched all the racing on ITV and I thought it was very good. I know Ascot isn’t very difficult to sell but the races took centre stage. I don’t think I saw a race as exciting as the Gold Cup in a very long time and the coverage did it so much justice.

I am obviously gutted to be missing the Irish Derby as well, I love it over there. I’ve spoken with John about Cracksman and we both think that the Curragh will suit him better than Epsom.

I’ll call Pat Smullen as well and give him all the info he needs about the horse and his character. He’s got very low mileage and has every chance in my opinion.

I think he still has some improvement in him and can close the gap with Wings Of Eagles. It will also be interesting to see Mr. Fabre’s horse too, Waldgeist. He will add spice to the race and he can’t be ruled out.

Goodwood Cup rematch will be one to savour

I always look forward to Glorious Goodwood. Big Orange will be up against Order Of St George again and the good thing is, he has won the Goodwood Cup twice already.

He will run his usual tough race. What you see is what you get with Big Orange and don’t expect anything different.

He will put it down to them and try his very best. We saw at Ascot how closely matched he is to Order Of St George and I think it will be another titanic battle.

I understand why the bookies make O’Brien’s horse the favourite, but they are closely matched and anything can happen.

Ciao!

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing