Frankie's flying again: Dettori to return to action at Newmarket

Newmarket's July festival was given a boost on Sunday when Frankie Dettori confirmed he would be back in action at the three-day meeting on Thursday.

Dettori rides Derby also-ran Crowned Eagle in the Group 3 Bahrain Trophy, the fixture's opening race in which he will be bidding to add to both his and trainer John Gosden's good record in a contest billed as a St Leger trial.

Speaking to Sky Sports at the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday, racing's most well-known jockey said: "The plan is to get back at Newmarket on Thursday.

"I have had almost a month off and started riding horses last week."

Dettori injured his shoulder and arm in a fall in the Yarmouth paddock on June 13 and, although he rode Shutter Speed into fourth in the Prix De Diane five days later, he was forced to miss Royal Ascot after which he flew home to Sardinia to recuperate.

He rode out for Gosden on Thursday after which he said: "The shoulder seems fine and I've done lots of swimming and physio."

Bamford link-up

Dettori added on Sunday: "I am here today with JCB at the invitation of Lord Bamford and the first horse I am going to ride is for him."

That horse is Crowned Eagle, who was third to Barney Roy over a mile on his debut last year and won a Windsor handicap under Dettori off a mark of 82 before finishing 15th in the Derby ridden by Andrea Atzeni.

Frankie Dettori winning the Bahrain Trophy on another John Gosden-trained colt Mr Singh two years agoCredit: Mark Cranham

Dettori won the Bahrain Trophy in the colours of owner-breeder Lady Bamford two years ago on another Gosden-trained colt Mr Singh, who jumped to second favourite for the St Leger after his win in the 1m5f race.

While Dettori has won the race three times in the last eight years, Gosden has won the race in four of the last six years, including with subsequent St Leger winner Masked Marvel in 2011.

Newmarket going update

The ground at Newmarket is good to firm after 10mm of watering on Friday but none over the weekend.

Michael Prosser, clerk of the course, said on Sunday: "We're very happy with where we are and hope Mother Nature will do the watering on Monday and Tuesday.

"The forecast is for possible showers on Sunday night but more organised showers on Monday, some which could be thundery and again there is rain forecast on Tuesday hence we are sitting tight (on watering) for now.

"We will reassess on Wednesday which is forecast to be dry ahead of a complicated forecast for the meeting - it has been a moveable feast but Friday and Saturday is forecast to be dry and warmer up to 24C from 21C earlier in the meeting."

Bahrain Trophy card