Frankel (pink cap) will have a further scan on his injured leg next week
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Frankel fans face anxious wait over injury scare
FANS of wonderhorse Frankel face a nervous week as connections have revealed the colt will undergo a further scan next week on an injury he sustained in a routine gallop on Wednesday morning.
Speaking to the Racing Post, Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, said: "Frankel has been scanned and no damage was shown, but we will have him scanned again next week and we will know more then.
"That will tell us more, I wish I could say more conclusively one way or the other, but we just don't know. We remain hopeful but obviously it is a concern, we wouldn't have mentioned it otherwise.
"You have to take every precaution and he is in the best hands, receiving all the right attention. I can't predict what will happen. If something comes up, it comes up, but we are still hopeful he will be fine. We'll know more in a week's time."
The Sir Henry Cecil-trained four-year-old was due to return to the track in the JLT Lockinge Stakes atNewbury on May 19 and was set to work at the course next week.
In an interview broadcast on Friday evening on At The Races, Grimthorpe added: "He was a bit sore the morning after and with the filling it looked as if he may have struck into himself as he is an exuberant worker.
"The initial scan showed no damage, which is a positive, but we will wait until the end of next week to scan it again as we want to give the haemorrhaging a chance to stop and for the filling to dissipate.
"It could potentially be more serious, we won't know until the scan, but even with the best-case scenario he is unlikely to make it to Newbury.
"It is too early to rule him out of Ascot, but if he were fine and he were to come back, Henry [Cecil] wouldn't rush him back, we'd race him when he's ready.
"Prince Khalid's mantra is always to do what is best for the horse, that comes above any sentimental or commercial interests and we will do what is best for Frankel when we know more."
Comments