RyanMoore

It has taken me a little bit longer to get back than I would have liked - everyone says that though, don't they? - but I am pleased to say that I was given a clean bill of health by my doctor in Oxford, saw another specialist in London , and have been signed back on by Dr Michael Turner at the BHA.

But no-one should get ahead of themselves here, and I certainly am not. I am not looking beyond tomorrow.

I am fit to ride. No question. But only race-riding will tell me where I stand.

I have spoken to the boss this evening and we have agreed that I will ride Duke Of Firenze in the last at Ascot (17:15), and go from there. If everything is ok, I will ride a few at Newmarket tomorrow and then we will all sit down and have a discussion.

We will do what is right - however hard and painful that decision may be.

Taking of hard and painful, obviously I have been in the wars this season, with my fall at Warwick on August 21st being my third of the season after spills at Goodwood and Deauville. And it was the third time in my career that I had broken a wrist.

It bloody hurt on occasions, I can assure you, but the injury was probably more irritating, than painful, in truth.

The priority for me was not rushing back, but getting myself in the best possible shape for returning to race-riding. Yes, I have probably missed some Group 1 winners but if you look and plan short term in this game, then it will more than often backfire.

I have been riding out for the past fortnight or so, including a racecourse gallop at Kempton on Saturday morning, and everything felt good. And when I say getting back in the saddle has taken longer than I would have liked, I am probably talking like a typical sidelined jockey. Ever impatient.

With the injury I had - a fractured radius - it would probably take a "normal" person six weeks for it to heal, and another four to get all the movement and strength back. So to get back within six weeks is probably not bad going.

As regular readers will know, I have been having kriotherapy in order to speed up the healing process, and I have had over 30 sessions now - sometimes six days a week.

And I am certain that it has helped. After each session in the chamber, you will do strengthening, endurance and core work afterwards, such as running a mile, skipping , step-ups and the like. And you feel the difference, particularly in the movement the treatment allows and affords.

And in addition to these sessions, I have kept busy in the gym and in the swimming pool in Newmarket, too, as well as further physiotherapy.

So I would like to think I am in pretty good shape for my return. But we will see.

Some jockeys go stir crazy when they are out for a period of time, but I am pretty level-headed and it hasn't been an issue for me. I have got on with what needed to be done - and that included a trip to Legoland with the kids.

As much as I really enjoyed that day out, I am very eager to get back working, and in a daily routine, once again.

Yes, with some big meetings - and hopefully some big rides - on the horizon, you could say that I am very much looking forward to it.

But let's get today out of the way first, and go from there.

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13:15

I rode Sir Prancealot when he finished second to Reckless Abandon in the Papin and he looks to have run to a similar level of form behind the same horse in the Morny. It helps that he doesn't have that colt to contend with today and he looks the one to beat on form. Although he has finished off his races over 6f strongly on occasion, I don't think the step down to the minimum trip should be too much of an inconvenience as he has a good cruising speed, and this is a step down in class. Bungleinthejungle was well below par over 6f in soft ground in Ireland last time but 5f on better ground saw him to maximum advantage when he just got the better of Morawij in the Molecomb. Ceiling Kitty got balloted out of the Nunthorpe and she looked a progressive sort when beating Hoyam in the Queen Mary last time. A lot of these horses' form ties in closely with each other, as Hoyam beat Fire Eyes at York last time. It is possible that the runner-up could reverse that form here though, as he showed a smart turn of foot to take it up 1f out there before getting reeled in late. It could be that they hold on to him for longer this time, or maybe it was just the easier ground that wasn't ideal there. And you obviously can't rule out Sound Of Guns either; she ran a good race when second to me on Rosdhu Queen in a listed race at Newbury. This is a step up in class but the winner went on to win the Lowther next time and the third has since won in listed company.

13:50

I don't think that anyone who saw Sir Graham Wade overcome all sorts of trouble in running to win at Haydock on Saturday will be in a rush to oppose him under just a 6lb penalty today, even if this looks a really competitive handicap. He is big and strong, and looks a Group horse in appearance. But he looks sure to be a warm favourite and he did put in a very poor performance at York previously. That said, he will probably win if reproducing that Haydock run but there are in-form, solid rivals against in him here in Number Theory, Caravan Rolls On, No Heretic and Hanoverian Baron. And Tominator, whose chance I was keen on before his Chester win last time, and Blue Bajan are other horses that you certainly can't rule out either. So there is depth to this race outside of the favourite and Martyr is interesting on his comeback run after two years off the track off a mark of 97. I won on him at Newmarket two years ago - I think I actually rode him on his debut as well - but I think that he has his work well and truly cut out returning in such a competitive handicap.

14:20

Front-running tactics certainly didn't work out for Saddler's Rock at York last time. And, with Johnny back on board, I think we can expect to see more patient tactics today. This horse was probably at his most impressive when beating Opinion Poll by 4 lengths in this race last season and he clearly had been in great nick before that York run as well. I have been banging the Colour Vision drum ever since he impressed me greatly in beating me on Red Cadeaux at Kempton in May, and perhaps he wasn't at his best when beaten around 2 lengths by Saddler's Rock at Goodwood last time. Either way, there clearly isn't too much between the Gold Cup winner and John Oxx's horse on their overall form this season - though the 4lb penalty that Colour Vision carries here is a clearly big negative. Masked Marvel clearly would be a leading contender here on his Leger win but you couldn't be at all confident about him after another below par run at Newbury last time. If you are looking for an each way bet, maybe Hurricane Higgins could be the one. He obviously has a lot to find but he is a guaranteed stayer, and he impresses me with the way that he travels and quickens in his races. I don't think he wants to be in front too long though.

14:55

Any number of these horses have any amount of improvement in them, but on all known evidence so far, Certify is the one to beat. She is a beautiful mover, and really gets over the ground. A clear-cut 3 length winner from the decent Pearl Sea on her Newmarket debut, the form of her Sweet Solera length defeat of the Moyglare winner Sky Lantern is obviously the best on offer here at the moment. But then again Ollie Olga is tough and can also boast a recent verdict over Sky Lantern, and I imagine that Certify will be a much shorter price in the betting. It wouldn't surprise me if one or two improved enough to trouble that pair - and Marco's Italian acqusition Tuttipaesi, proven over this trip, is something of an unknown - but I think Certify is by far the most likely winner.

15:30

Not a great deal to choose between the six in here on what they have shown so far. I rode Ninjago to finish third over this trip at Newbury last time and, strictly on form, that maybe makes him the one to beat. But John Gosden's Ashdan was very impressive on his debut, beating a dual subsequent winner. He holds plenty of big race entries, and I imagine he is the one that the market will favour. And rightly so in my opinion, because I was really taken with him at Newmarket. But we have other once-raced maiden winners in here, and No Jet Lag bolted in at Redcar last time, so it is an interesting contest. But Ashdan for me.

16:05

I thought Duke Of Firenze would just about win at Newmarket last time. Unfortunately he was a nose behind Fulbright at the line but the winner has clearly gone on to advertise the merit of that run - as has the third - and off a 4lb higher mark here I would anticipate another big run from Duke Of Firenze, who is progressive and is the most unexposed horse in the field alongside an unknown quantity in Rassam. I know a few of these in here and respect the chances of the likes of Mac's Power and Cape Classic but there is only one horse I would like to be riding in this.

16:35

The boss has Keene Dancer in here, in what looks a typically tight classified stakes race. In fact, it looks pretty impossible - seven are rated 85 in this 0-85 contest. I don't know what happened to her at Goodwood last time but she had earlier won well in heavy ground at Windsor and looked a fast-progressing filly there. I think she is up to winning a race like this but she is unproven over the trip and any rain would really help her chances, so those are a couple of potential negatives too, in addition to the poor run last time.

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13:15

This looks a pretty impossible card for punters and a 20-runner nursery is not the easiest starting point, is it? I have ridden a couple of these, Indignant and Summer Isles. Indignant started off by finishing third to Sky Lantern at Goodwood before going on to win at Nottingham. She only beat three home in a York nursery last time and, racing off the same mark, clearly has to improve a good deal from that effort to figure here off top weight. Summer Isles actually didn't even beat one home on her nursery debut at Wolverhampton last time but that clearly wasn't her true running and if she came back to the form of her Newmarket fourth to Newfangled, when I rode her and quite liked her, she would have a chance off a mark of 71. The step back up to 6f after racing over 5f on sharp tracks may help too. But this looks an absolute minefield of a race, though I suppose Luca's Nargys - though his draw in one would bother me as I like to be mid to stands side at Doncaster - and the likes of Tussie Mussie, who carries a 6lb penalty for a clear-cut Musselburgh win last week, will be among the market leaders.

13:50

This 18-runner Group 3 race looks equally tricky, but Sentaril could prove the answer. William's horses continue in great form but this one was actually a big disappointment over 6f in a Group 3 at York last time. Perhaps something wasn't quite right there as this is her first start since that July run and I see that she still holds a Group 1 entry in the Sun Chariot later this month. On her earlier slightly unlucky second to Ishvana in the Jersey - form that is working out well with the third (Aljamaheer), fourth (Lethal Force) and fifth (Producer) all running well or winning in Group company since - she looks the one to beat here back over 7f and she is only lightly-raced too. The draw, 18 of 18, is a question mark but she appeals most. The rest all look much of a muchness, though Gamilati has claims if you are willing to forgive her comeback run at Goodwood and Regal Realm would have a shout if coming back to the form of her Glorious Goodwood win for me. I think this track could suit her.

14:20

There are quite a few in here who are only separated by about 5lb-7b on their best form, but I like The Gold Cheongsam. I think Jeremy was going to run her in the Lowther before pulling her out the day before - not sure why, in truth - but she had earlier looked good when giving Califante 9lb in a Newmarket nursery and the runner-up went on to finish a close second in a listed race at Salisbury last time. There are plenty of dangers to choose from, notably Hototo, Morny third Parliament Square (though he has to give Jeremy's filly 18lb but has a similar profile to Reply, who won this race for Aidan last year) and Bath winner Liber.

14:55

Estimate ran well for me when third to Wild Coco over this trip at Goodwood last time, but I just have the feeling that the Queen's Vase winner will be better suited to a greater test of stamina than she may get here. But she is 2lb better off with the winner, hopefully the track will suit and I can tell you that she has been going pretty well at home since her last run. But clearly the horse that beat her by 3 lengths at Goodwood, Wild Coco, is the obvious favourite here. But Newbury winner Ambivolent is improving, and a couple of the others would have an outside chance of coming back to their best, notably Kailani.

15:30

I don't have much of an opinion in this maiden, so I will be brief. There are a couple of Derby entries amongst the unraced horses and all of the once-raced maidens can be expected to step up a good deal from their debuts. I imagine there will be plenty of betting focus on Space Ship, who started favourite when shaping promisingly at Sandown at the end of last month. And the step up to 1m looks sure to suit this Galileo colt, who holds an entry in the Racing Post Trophy.

16:05

Everyone knows how much I love a good 22-runner sprint handicap - and unfortunately I don't have many pearls of wisdom to offer this time either. I have ridden Piazza San Pietro, Sohraab and Oneladyowner in the past and I suppose Sohraab looks the likeliest of that trio, mainly because of his greater consistency. But it really does look ridiculously difficult to pinpoint the winner. Ron Harris tops and tails the weight and his progressive, bang in form Prodigality has a touch of class and his Ertikaan showed a lot more last time. Perhaps Ron has the answer to this riddle. Ask him, because I don't. But I would probably like to ride his Prodigality here.

16:35

This looks more like it. Only six runners and you can get a far better handle on the race, even if there is no obvious pace and this promises to be a very tactical race. Black Spirit has been running well in good class handicaps this season and has run well when fresh in the past, so his absence since June doesn't overly worry me; Trade Storm has been raised 6lb from his York win and Specific Gravity has been upped 9lb for his Newmarket victory; Resurge comes here after a mid-season break after disappointing at Newmarket in June; and Sandagiyr has to prove he can translate his Meydan form to the UK. If he does, he has prospects off 105. But the horse I quite like in here is Spanish Duke. He is back on the same mark as when winning at Epsom last season (after which he was raised a very harsh 10lb), he ran well for me over 1m4f at that track in June and finished a good fourth to Danadana over this trip at York last time. With his stable in better form now, on a fair mark and likely to be suited by track and trip - in fact, I think he finished third to me on Royal Destination off a 2lb higher mark in this race two seasons ago - I can see him going close, even if he is not the most straightforward.

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14:00

You never really know where you stand when looking at the opposition in these nurseries but I quite like the look of Red Avenger off a mark of 82. I rode him when he finished sixth over 6f at Leicester on his debut and he gave quite a good account of himself for a horse that was very green and clearly wanted 7f+. And it rode like a fair maiden, too. He took time to get the hang of things but finished off his race well there and it didn't surprise me when he went to Warwick and turned over a Godolphin odds-on shot over an extra furlong last time out. The third horse who was beaten over seven lengths there won at Thirsk on Saturday, and I reckon that he could be fairly handicapped.

14:30

Top Boy and Threes Grand have pieces of form that give them an outside chance in this conditions race, but it will be very disappointing if they are good enough to beat some lightly-raced and well-regarded maiden winners. Ribaat went to Haydock with a fair reputation on his debut and didn't disappoint, and the form of that maiden has worked out pretty well. And the form of Cour Valant's clear-cut Nottingham win was also boosted when the near-seven length third, Hoarding, won a nursery off a mark of 75 last week (and the runner-up that day, Bravo Youmzain, runs in the opener). Upward Spiral was bought by current owners after winning on her debut at Sandown, and she ran really well when only beaten two-and-a-half lengths into fourth by stablemate Ceiling Kitty in the Queen Mary. Upward Spiral is arguably the horse to beat on form coming into this race but her absence since Royal Ascot may put her at a fitness disadvantage and the more recent form of Ribaat and Cour Valant appeals more; I would be tempted to side with Roger's colt, who is very well entered up - including in the Dewhurst - and looked really good at Haydock, though I suppose his price will probably reflect that.

15:05

This is a really strong listed race, and I know most of these very well. I rode Kingsgate Native to finish second to Sole Power on his reappearance in the Temple Stakes last season, and I actually beat Equiano on him in that race the year before. Nocturnal Affair ran really well for me in Dubai this winter, not being beaten far in the Al Quoz, and he has run two fair races this season, second on unsuitable ground at Tipperary and when running creditably in the Nunthorpe last time. I rode Valbchek to win at Newmarket before he finished in midfield in the Jersey, and I have also sat on Noble Storm this season. But if Sole Power runs to form, then he probably ought to win given suitable conditions. The ground and the draw weren't ideal for him at York last time but a reproduction of either his second to Bated Breath at Haydock this season, or his subsequent third in the King's Stand, will probably see him win this. He is a proven Group 1 horse given 5f and fast ground. But if he runs below form for some reason, then there are plenty you could put up against him in a listed race which is well above average. Masamah continues to run well, I think Valbchek is a sprinter to follow (though perhaps over 6f, and not 5f) and Nocturnal Affair is a class sprinter on his day. And I have to pass on a good word for Kingsgate Native, who I hear was going really well at home before the Nunthorpe, a race which he ended up missing because of a high temperature, and who is second best on form - and not by that much either at his best, though I suppose consistency is a slight issue with him.

15:40

Good luck to the Legends. We will move on swiftly, though.

16:10

I thought Beaten Up had the potential to make up into a Group 1 horse this season but he has not settled in his two races, being beaten a street at Epsom last time when the course may have been an issue too, so they have taken the decision to geld him. Horses can go either way after the operation - some big, strong horses are weakened by it and aren't the same afterwards - but plenty thrive after it, the most recent example being our Labarinto, back to form at Sandown last time. Beaten Up has got to relax to be able to fulfil the undoubted potential he displayed at Newbury last season but you can rest assured that William will have left no stone unturned with him at home on that score. And it isn't as if his first run this season, when beaten seven lengths in the Sheema Classic, was that bad. In fact, if Swedish Sailor isn't up to much - though Modeyra and Cai Shen have the odd bit of decent form - then even a reproduction of that Dubai form will probably be good enough here. But you have to respect Swedish Sailor. Of course, it would be unwise to take his five length defeat of Noble Mission at face value and he presumably has had his problems since. But Godolphin tend to have horses like this very fit for their comebacks, and he is clearly totally unexposed. But I will stay loyal to Beaten Up, as he looked so good when beating Al Kazeem by four-and-a-half lengths at Newbury last season.

16:45

I imagine that Strictly Silver will be very popular in the betting here after his luckless run at Chester last time. But that is the problem with anyone wanting to back him today - everyone saw how unlucky he was and no-one missed it. He undoubtedly looks a well-handicapped horse and could easily win but he is likely to be artificially short in the betting and, perhaps more crucially, could be running over 2f short of his optimum trip. He looks more of a Cambridgeshire horse to me. And the more you look at this race, the more competitive it becomes - and the more of a "lazy" tip Strictly Silver could be. The fact that Born To Surprise has twice been tried in Group company this season tells me that Michael thinks he has a well-handicapped horse on his hands here off 92 if things fall his way, and that we have not seen the best of the course and distance winner. But I beat him off a mark of 90 at Yarmouth two starts ago and he has yet to do it on the track. But I'd like him to win if only for nostalgic reasons. His dam, David Loder's Dubai Surprise, provided me with my first ever Group winner in the Prestige at Goodwood in 2004 and went on to win a Group 1 in Italy for Ted the following year. I know they think a bit of Compton, Discression looks very progressive and Magic City could prove very well treated off a mark of 87. He was very unlucky when third in a nursery over course and distance only two starts ago - and somehow races off a 1lb lower mark here already. But Hughesie may have a bit of trouble getting cover from his draw in one here. And I wouldn't rule out the Richard Fahey pair of Alejandro and Gatepost either. In short, what may have looked a clear winning opportunity for Strictly Silver on first viewing looks a lot harder on closer inspection.

17:15

I have ridden a few of these in here - Whozthecat, Jack Luey and Cheworee - but this looks a typically impossible 22-runner sprint handicap, and I haven't got a clue what will win it. So I am not going to put anyone away by sticking one up. In fact, I'll be honest with you. If I was riding at this meeting, then I would be very unimpressed with my agent if I wasn't in the car when this race was being run.

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Obviously, I won't be riding for a while. But before I broke my wrist at Warwick on Tuesday night, these were my intended rides at York on Thursday. While I am on the sidelines, I will continue to preview the big meetings and the big weekend races.


14:00, York - Annunciation

These big-field sales races are very competitive - and are sometimes a lottery if truth be told - and this is clearly no different. A lot will depend on where the pace comes to the fore, luck in running and where you are drawn, but on the face of it 18 of 20 is not too bad. And Annunciation has decent claims on the book too. He had a lot of racing in May and June, where he proved himself a smart colt, chasing home Reckless Abandon at Doncaster and then winning well for me at Chester in June, the form of that win working out really well. He has been given a nice break since and that level of form gives him definite each way claims in this race, and 6f at York should be fine for him, too, and he has form on fast ground and with a bit of cut. But you only have to glance at the field to see loads of dangers. You have a Windsor Castle winner/Molecomb in here in Hototo, albeit with a penalty; Barracuda Boy particularly impressed me at Haydock and the well-regarded Rocky Ground is unexposed; Saint Jerome makes a quick reappearance after winning a decent maiden at Salisbury last week; Body And Soul won the Weatherbys Super Sprint and Hughesie has chosen Mister Marc over my mount. In short, there look to be loads of horses within a few pounds of each other, so I'd imagine quite a few will be fancying their chances of landing a big pot.


14:30, York - Rosdhu Queen

Won well for me over 5f at Newbury on Saturday so, as she looks all over a 2yo, it makes sense to go for a Group prize with her when she is fit and well and in-form. I liked her at Newbury, she showed a really good attitude, so hopefully that will stand her in good stead in this better company. If she sees out the extra furlong ok in this higher grade, then she has place claims. But there are plenty in here to be worried about, chief among them Newfangled. She clearly looked a class act when winning the Albany and is the obvious favourite. But Badr Al Badoor's Doncaster win is working out really well, Jeremy's The Gold Cheongsam is improving fast (though she looks to be a non-runner now, I think) - and Baileys Jubilee has run some fair races in France.


15:05, York - Prince of Johanne

Is tough and always tends to run his race, though I see the handicapper has dropped him a 1lb for a couple of recent fair efforts at Pontefract and Goodwood. I actually rode him early in his career when he was with Jeremy and am two from three on him. A look at his form tells you all you need to know. Namely, that he has become a very talented handicapper, winner of a Hunt Cup this season, and he has course and distance form too, as I just got the better of him on Fury here in May. Is well enough drawn in stall eight and should run his race, though whether he is still too high in the weights after the Ascot win I don't know.


15:40, York - Was

There may not be a superstar in here just yet, but this is a very competitive renewal of the Yorkshire Oaks with several boasting high-class Group 1 credentials. And none more so than The Fugue after her Nassau Stakes win from Timepiece last time. The runner-up ran well in defeat behind Snow Fairy at the weekend, and the Musidora winner is probably the one to beat if she can run to that level of form over 1m4f today. But she has her work cut out here. Shareta will like the ground and should go well on the track, and her Arc second to Danedream is the single best piece of form on offer here. Wild Coco was impressive in winning over 1m6f at Goodwood on her reappearance, Coquet was unlucky in the Oaks, and I have a sneaking suspicion that we may have not have seen the best of Shirocco Star yet, even though she has been placed in Group 1 company on her last three starts. One of those runs was a neck second to Was in the Oaks. Was impressed me more than most when winning at Epsom, would not have been suited by the ground at the Curragh next time, and ran well over 1m2f in the Nassau last time. Back over 1m4f, I would be hopeful of her reversing form with The Fugue, if not confident. I like this filly.


16:15, York - Sequence

I don't know what happened when she won a handicap by nine lengths at Newmarket last time, because they let me go clear, didn't get anywhere near me at any stage and I strolled home. In fact, it was a very similar story when I won on Bite Of The Cherry at Newmarket, too. A lot of people will probably question the merit of Sequence's win in that light - and it was undoubtedly a funny race in how it panned out - but this is a filly I have always liked and I wouldn't underestimate her. She will appreciate the step back up to 1m4f, and I reckon that this full sister to Sinndar has a very good chance in this listed race, particularly if the ground stays on the fast side. I can see Pale Mimosa being a threat. She won by 15 lengths in the heavy at Galway last time, but as she is by Singspiel, who tend to prefer good ground, perhaps that was in spite of the going than because of it. Totally unexposed, she deserves respect, but I like her chances.


16:50, York - Ladyship

Being raised 6lb after a narrow defeat at Ascot last time seems a bit harsh and being drawn 11 of 15 is not ideal. But that is where the negatives end. I liked the way she quickened up at Ascot last time and battled on once headed, and she is finally getting the hang of things. I think I am right in saying that she comes from a late-maturing family - certainly her dam Peeress improved with age, winning a Lockinge at 5yo - and I get the impression she is really coming to herself. The step up to 7f at York, after 6f at Ascot, won't be a problem, and she is in real good shape at the moment. I'll be disappointed if she doesn't give a very good account of herself here.

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I had my third fall in as many weeks at Warwick last night - following on from Romeo Montague at Goodwood and Havana Gold in Deauville - and the bad news is that it is third time unlucky and I have broken my left wrist.

I don't know how long I will be out for, but I can tell you that I am not happy.

And it's not the first time I have slipped and come off at Warwick: I can't remember the name of the horse but it was a Highclere horse of Richard's a few years back, a Green Desert I think, when I was a kid. It's fair to say it is not a course I am particularly fond of.

But I saw an incident like this coming before my fall last night. When I rode Cross My Heart in the earlier 5f maiden (18:30), she was not as balanced as she should have been and was very uneasy on the track and I said to Dane (O'Neill) and Adrian (Nicholls) after the race that I didn't think the bend was going to ride too clever later on.

In my opinion, the problem was that the grass was far too long and lush, and that can always cause problems.

And when I went into the bend on Cresta Star (in the 19:30 race) I was never balanced. I had hold of her head but when the favourite came round, I got a bit tight and she lost her back end and slipped.

The annoying thing is that it was a soft fall, far softer than Goodwood. But I landed on my left wrist - it was the right one that gave me problems at Goodwood.

I got up straight away but the damage was done. And I got up angry. I refused to get in the ambulance and walked back seething. I found a racing plate when I got up - I don't know whether it was from my filly or not - and carried it back to the paddock.

I don't know what I intended to do with it - though I can tell you I didn't intend to keep it as a souvenir - but I tossed it away into the bushes, as has been reported.

But the upshot is that I went to Warwick hospital last night to get the wrist looked at - and if you ever want to break your wrist I recommend that you do it in Warwick on a Tuesday night in August. It was empty and they were very efficient; they x-rayed it and put a cast on it. I was in and out in no time.

I don't know the full extent of the problem until I go and see my normal doctor in Oxford, but I'll obviously be out for a while.

What really annoys me is that I think it was avoidable.

In the meantime, I will continue to give you my assessments of the big meetings and the big races each weekend.

From the sidelines, never a good place to be but all too familiar in recent seasons.

Far too familiar.

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14:35 Goodwood - Tales Of Grimm

This is a horse I have always liked but he has had his fair share of problems since winning his maiden last August. Clearly, needs to improve a stone or more to even get competitive in this grade - and it is a very strong Group 3 - but I haven't given up on him just yet. Made a very encouraging debut when third to Cogito over a mile on fast ground in the Heron Stakes at Sandown in May and we then stepped him up in trip to 1m2f on softish ground at Royal Ascot. He ran a fair race to finish fifth to Energizer there but I think 1m on good ground may be his optimum conditions, and he will hopefully get them here. He has been working well and I think he is a good horse but he will need to be to even make the frame here. Fairly drawn in six though. I rode Gregorian to finish third in the St James's Palace Stakes and he looks the horse to beat on that Ascot form and his French runs, through Trumpet Major, who I partnered to win the Craven by five lengths, could be interesting if back to form after his Irish Guineas disappointment.


15:10 Goodwood - Johnny Castle

To be honest, I don't know much about the horse other what the form book tells me. What I do know is that he hasn't run since September and he is drawn 19 of 21 and those are not positives in a race of this competitive nature. On the plus side, one run aside, he looks to have been a very progressive horse last season. His defeat of Sirius Prospect at Newmarket in June was made to look very good by the runner-up subsequently and he rounded off the season with a decent third at Doncaster. Has since joined Amanda Perrett from John Gosden, changing hands for 60,000gns I see. All his best form has been over 7f but he ran well enough at Sandown over this trip at two.


15:45 Goodwood - Noble Storm

This looks a very open Group 2 and Ortensia could prove the one to beat back over 5f. Her Dubai form probably marks her out as the one to beat and better ground and a drop in trip will see her in a more favourable light than heavy ground did in the July Cup. Abbaye winner Tangerine Trees could also prove a leading contender, and hard to peg back from stall three, if coming back to form here. I ride Noble Storm and I think it is fair to say that he will be one of the outsiders. He was last of five at Newmarket recently but he is a course and distance winner and could be given a place chance if returning to his best form in 2011.


16:20 Goodwood - Mystical Moment

I haven't ridden the horse, so I don't know if a mark of 84 is fair or not for her Newmarket soft ground maiden win last time. But it looks ok and she did it well at Newmarket from an odds-on chance of Luca's, and she had earlier shaped well when finishing well in fifth in a maiden here over 6f. Clearly has chances. Richard hasn't had the best luck of the draw with some of his fancied horses this week and Janoub Nibras, a horse they like, has got 15 of 15 here.


16:50 Goodwood - Regal Realm

If Gamilati is in the same sort of form that she was in Dubai at the turn of the year - I was in behind when she won the UAE 1,000 Guineas very impressively in February - then she will take a lot of beating in this race. She looks to have a lot in hand of these rivals on that form, and maybe even a fair bit on her Cherry Hinton win. But obviously there is something of a question mark over her after a long lay-off. If she doesn't run up to her best, then this race is up for grabs. I ride Regal Realm, and she actually beat Gamilati on their respective debuts at Newmarket last May. She then went on to win the Prestige over course and distance. But she went off the boil, and it has to be said there wasn't much encouragement to be gleaned from her Nell Gwyn run in April. Let's hope she is back to her best today, but she probably only has an outside place chance on that.


17:25 Goodwood - Place In My Heart

Has run two solid races of late, and her second to Fulbright over 6f in the soft at Newmarket last time has been advertised by the winner since. Has form over the minimum trip and on faster ground, so I think she could be set to go well off just a 4lb higher mark than Newmarket.


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I got stood down for the day after a fall in the opening race at Goodwood yesterday, and taken to hospital for a check-up, but hopefully I'll pass the doctor today and will be fit enough to ride my six intended mounts.

Fingers crossed.


14:15 Goodwood - Opinion

Drawn ok in five, is a horse I like and the form of his win over 1m1f at Sandown last time is working out really well. The runner-up won next time; the third, Hefner, won his next two and re-opposes here; the fourth was just touched off by Prussian last time and the fifth won his next outing too. So a 6lb rise for that is fair enough. But what worries me is the drying ground. He won in the soft last time, but disappointed on fast ground over course and distance here previously. Any rain would be a big help to his chances. The horse I like in here is Asatir. I rode in the race he won at Windsor last time and they went at it from a long way out. He may have only won by a head and is 5lb higher here, but I think you can mark his performance up for the manner of the win. Frankie has his work cut out after being drawn in 17 of 18 though.


14:45 Goodwood - Richmond Stakes (no ride)

I don't have a ride. But it doesn't look a great Richmond, so several of these will be fancying their chances, such as July Stakes third Ahern and the beaten Norfolk favourite Cay Verde. But I hope Master Of War wins; he looked good when winning a listed race at Newbury last time and doesn't have too much to find to win this.


15:15 Goodwood - Simenon

I am surprised that this race has attracted such a strong field, and it looks like the best Goodwood Cup for a while. I normally would be fancying my chances of winning an average renewal of this with Simenon after his Royal Ascot exploits. But as it is I see Timeform have him with a stone to find on their top-rated Saddler's Rock, presumably on his Doncaster defeat of Opinion Poll last season. And I also see a lot of people are latching on Saddler's Rock to reverse Ascot form with Colour Vision. I personally am not so sure. Yes, Saddler's Rock pulled far too hard at Ascot and will be suited by the faster ground, but not many stayers can quicken the way Colour Vision did when he went past me on Red Cadeaux at Kempton earlier in the season. He has got a change of gear that perhaps Saddlers Rock lacks, and that could be the difference between the pair again. And the turn of foot Simenon showed in winning both his races at Ascot is one of his strengths too, as is the way he travels powerfully through a race. That combination will hopefully see him improve again here, enough to trouble the front two in the market.


15:45 Goodwood - Estimate

Again, this looks a far stronger Group 3 race than usual. Marcus Tregoning loves a winner at Goodwood and he looks to have laid Hawaafez out for this since winning at Newbury in May. And the likes of Wild Coco could prove dangerous if returning to her best form. But I think the biggest danger to Estimate could come from Midnight Soprano. She beat Saddler's Rock back in June and, while her winning run came to an end at the Curragh last time, I think the winner Hartani is a good horse who wouldn't look out of place in the St Leger field. But I have to be hopeful on Estimate. As I thought she might, she improved a good deal for the step up to 2m when winning the Queen's Vase in the soft at Royal Ascot. She is clearly progressive but if you were looking for possible negatives it is the step down in trip and the faster ground. But she has pleased us since Ascot and has a favourite's chance.


16:20 Goodwood - Heading North

He makes a quick reappearance after a very promising debut run at Newmarket last month, considering she looked green and in need of the experience there. That level of form already puts her in the mix here. But then you see she is drawn 19 of 20, and the confidence starts to go. With so many debutantes and unexposed fillies, there are clearly any number of potential winners in here but I think Supernova Heights is possibly the one to beat; she was a good fourth at Newmarket first time up, is bred to like the step up to 7f and the stable's juveniles often improve a good deal from their debuts.


16:55 Goodwood - Campanology

Was entered up over 1m at Newmarket on Saturday but was pulled out overnight. Presumably all is well with him now though. And that temporary setback could work in his favour, as all his best form has been over today's 7f, not a mile. So, just 4lb higher than when beating a subsequent winner at Newmarket last time, he has chances on the book. Well, he had a lot more of a chance until he was drawn 16 of 16; an obvious and considerable negative. Similar comments apply to Shamaal Nibraas. He clearly bumped into one in Trade Commissioner at Salisbury last time and looks the best horse in here and the one to beat, but the draw has done him no favours either in 15.


17:25 Goodwood - Maria's Choice

I was quite liking his chances in this 1m3f handicap until I saw what mark he had been given for winning at Wolverhampton. It was only a modest maiden, so I certainly don't think he hasn't been done that many favours with an opening mark of 83. But let's hope I am wrong. I didn't ride him at Wolverhampton but I did on his debut, where the heavy ground clearly wasn't to his liking at Sandown. Don't get me wrong - he is a nice colt, and showed that last time, and he clearly has scope for a lot of improvement. But he will need to progress to follow up in this competitive handicap, which sees several progressive last time out winners line up, as well as lightly-raced improvers such as Harlestone Wood.


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14:00 Goodwood - Romeo Montague

Appeared to show improved form when third to me on Simenon in the Queen Alexandra at Ascot - he caught my eye in that race - and I was back on board (I rode him over 1m4f at Epsom earlier in the season) when he confirmed that impression in a 2m handicap at Ascot last time. This race is much tougher - there look to be some likely types in here from some of the jumps boys, such as Nicky Henderson's recent hurdles winner Cape Express - but he has only been raised 3lb and we knows he gets this trip well enough. I give him a chance.


14:35 & 15:10 Goodwood - Vintage & Susses Stakes (no rides)

I don't have a ride in either race but you don't need me or anyone else to tell you what will happen in the Sussex Stakes. But I have to be honest and say, for me, that it is a bit depressing to see only four line up in the race, even if one of them is Frankel. It will be great for those who want to see Frankel do a lap of honour - and he is a brilliant racehorse - but it is undeniably disappointing in every other respect. The Sussex Stakes is the race to win at Goodwood and for the second year running we have no runners. As for the Vintage, I think Olympic Glory is the one to beat. Ghurair was impressive in the soft at Newmarket last time, and was still green there, but it is a big step up from maiden to Group 2 company.


15:45 Goodwood - Swnymor

Has clearly done nothing wrong in his four star to dates, and he ran well off this mark when second to Last Shadow in the heavy at Windsor last time. Hopefully there is more to come and it remains to be seen if this presumably better ground also can see him move forward, as he has raced on ground no better than good to soft as yet. In fact, I think he will go well if it is faster ground; I rode in that Windsor race and I liked the way he travelled. He does needs to improve though as there are no end of fast-progressing recent winners in here, including Mawaqeet. He won well last time and has chances off a mark of 87.


16:20 Goodwood - Woodlandsway

Pearl Sea sets the standard on form, and Woodlandsway has a fair bit to find with her, and I dare say that a lot of these unexposed and unraced fillies will be fancied too. But my mount certainly improved a good deal from her debut when fourth at Ascot last time, at one stage possibly looking the winner before Diaminda picked up. If progressing again, she would have place claims maybe.


16:55 Goodwood - Keene Dancer

Won well for me twice last month over 1m at Windsor and picked up really well to win a handicap by 2 ¼ lengths last time. I don't think that was the strongest of races so a 7lb rise makes life a lot tougher for me in a more far competitive race. But she is coming to herself and progressing well, and the step up to 1m1f won't be a problem either. She has won on fast ground but I think any more rain would be a big help to her chances, as she loved the heavy ground at Windsor and her dam Kinnaird loved soft ground too.


17:30 Goodwood - Redvers

Let's hope that he can keep it in the family as my sister Hayley won on him at Ascot last time. A 6lb rise for a nose win is plenty enough and he is not ideally drawn in 14 but I know the horse - I finished third on him at Newmarket in June - and he should be suited the conditions. Has a chance in another competitive and big field Goodwood handicap, though I suppose it is a slight worry that he has run below par in his two starts here.


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14:00 Goodwood - King Torus

Won the Vintage Stakes by six lengths on fast ground at this meeting two seasons ago and proved himself a smart listed/Group 3 performer last term when beating Questioning at Haydock and winning a conditions race at Nottingham in November. Hasn't run up to that level in three starts this season, though his fourth behind Sri Putra at Kempton was a fair effort, and he has slipped down the weights a bit and goes on any ground. But I have to say that he looks up against it here; a draw of 14 isn't ideal and who knows how he will react to the first time blinkers and the step up in trip. There are a few question marks against him.


14:35 Goodwood - My view on the Gordon Stakes (no ride)

I don't have a ride but Michelangelo looks the one to beat. He has won here on fast ground and the step back to 1m2f wouldn't have been ideal at Newmarket last time but he did it well. This 1m4f trip could see him improve a good deal, but he may have to because it is a decent race. I think Noble Mission has the best single piece of form in the race - his second in the King Edward VII Stakes last time - but he doesn't look the most straightforward. Farhaan is also a horse I like and the German horses are flying at the moment and the form of Girolamo's German Derby third was franked at the weekend. But Michelangelo for me.


15:10 Goodwood - Firebeam

The first thing to say about this race is that, while it may not be a vintage Lennox - the likes of Paco Boy and Strong Suit have won this race - there is only 6lb between all the seven runners on official ratings so it is obviously a very tight contest. Chachamaidee is the one to beat after just being touched off in the Windsor Forest last time and the step back to 7f is probably in her favour. In fact, she won the Oak Tree Stakes easily over course and distance on fast ground at this meeting last year. I gave Libranno half a chance from a pace angle in the July Cup, but I think he got pulled out on the day because of a bad scope. But presumably all is well now and his Newmarket defeat of Edinburgh Knight and Majestic Myles was franked when the former just got touched off at Ascot next time and the latter won at Chester. Mac Love is getting on but ran a good race in the Diomed and then you have Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Foxtrot Romeo. So this Lennox Stakes will take a lot of winning. Firebeam ran ok on heavy ground over 6f at Newbury last time and his earlier second to Red Jazz over 7f at Haydock gives him an each way chance.


15:45 Goodwood - Dominate

Morawij is probably the horse to beat. His fourth in the Norfolk is the best form on show here and he won nicely enough at Sandown last time. But the likes of Windsor Castle runner-up Hototo and Newmarket third Jadanna are not that far off on form, and I know the Hannon camp think Lyric Ace could bounce back to winning form here. But fast ground would be a worry for him; I rode him at Leicester earlier in the season and, while he certainly has plenty of pace, he enjoyed the soft ground there. I ride Richard's other runner Dominate. I was on board when he was second at Windsor and he looked to win with a fair bit in hand at Sandown last time. He needs to improve a good bit to trouble some of these but obviously the potential to do so is there. Realistically, a place is probably the best I can hope for in this line-up, and fast ground may be a concern, though I did like him at Windsor.


16:15 Goodwood - Raging Bear

Any number of horses can obviously win this competitive 18-runner maiden, but I think Millers Wharf has a leading chance, along with Garswood and Huntsmans Close. Millers Wharf has course and distance experience from his debut fourth to Olympic Glory and he shaped pretty well when I rode him to finish a respectable last of four in a novice race over 7f at Ascot last time. Richard has five in here and I am on newcomer Raging Bear. I can't tell you much about him other than he is related to winners in the States and is by little known sire, Breeders Cup Mile runner-up, Leroidesanimaux; let's hope he just isn't in here to give the owners a day out!


16:50 Goodwood - Jack's Revenge

I rode Jacob Cats to win at Sandown last week and he looks the horse to beat under a 6lb penalty here, even though his draw in 14 isn't great. But I give my mount Jack's Revenge a fair chance in an obviously competitive 20-runner race where all horses will need their share of luck to even get a shot at a clear winning run. He is 8lb higher than when winning at Newmarket and I think that is fair enough as he won well by 2 ½ lengths. He may have looked an awkward ride there, and on occasions in the past, but the saddle was slipping at Newmarket and that didn't help at all. I don't think many people picked up on that. That win came on soft but he has form on a faster surface too. I personally think any rain would help him, but he could be the sort of horse to thrive in this type of race.


17:25 Goodwood - Long Awaited

Won very nicely in the heavy at Doncaster in April but for some reason hasn't gone on from that. I have never ridden him so don't know why, but he didn't run that badly at Newmarket last time by the looks of it, is fairly treated on the Doncaster win, has good ground form and perhaps first time blinkers are what he needs. Looks set to be one of the outsiders though, I would have thought.

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