Frankie Dettori has spent much of the last two months preparing for his comeback by riding out for a clutch of big trainers and also claims to have been visited ’15 times’ by the drug testers as he clears the protocols for his return following his six-month drug ban.
The last-minute hitch to his comeback on Friday means more frustration but he did have one pleasant diversion this week - dinner with Sir Peter O’Sullevan and Absolutely Fabulous actress Joanna Lumley in London.
The appointment arose out of an auction prize at last year’s Sir Peter's Charitable Trust bought by top jumps owner Andy Stewart.
The trio met at the Sydney Street Grill of Frankie’s friend and celebrity chef Marco Pierre White.
Sir Peter said: ‘Frankie was in great form and Joanna is a great asset to the Trust – she is always so interested in everything.
‘Unfortunately, Andy couldn’t be there because he is in Barbados so we will have to do it again.’
Quite a pair: Sir Peter O'Sullevan and Joanna Lumley met with Dettori this week Koukash has big plans for Salford
Larger than life racehorse owner Marwan Koukash has been making some pretty ambitious comments about his plans for Salford City Reds, the struggling Super League team win which he recently invested.
Koukash, whose best horse Mount Athos won the Ormonde Stakes at his favourite track Chester last week, has promised substantial investment at the club.
This week he announced that he plans to change the club’s name to the Red Devils next year. Less prominent was his stated intention to change the club’s away kit to grey and gold – the colours of his frequently seen racing silks.
Hi-De-Hi to new Play Area at GoodwoodIn the week of the death of Paul Shane – the actor best known for playing Holiday Camp comic Ted Bovis (right) in classic 1980s comedy Hi-De Hi! – it seems appropriate that entertainment at Goodwood’s three-day May meeting starting on Thursday will feature a new Children’s Play Area supplied by holiday camp giants Butlins.
The new attraction in the Lennox Enclosure will feature roundabouts and swings. However The Captain has not been able to substantiate rumours that Goodwood MD Adam Waterworth will be donning his own Red Coat and is favourite to win the ‘Knobbly Knees’ Contest.
Altogether now, Hi-De-Hi! – Ho-De-Ho!
Cartmel opens its doors
Cartmel’s ever popular summer jumping season is due to open next weekend with its three-day May Bank Holiday fixture, which starts on Saturday 25.
Record prize-money of £343,000 will be on offer even though the season’s race programme has been reduced from eight to seven days. Feature of the meeting will be the Burlington Stone Veterans Chase on Monday 27.
Restricted to horses aged 10 and over and the original idea of course chairman Lord Cavendish, the veteran chase concept has not now adopted be many tracks.
