Frankie Dettori suffers 'absolute shocker' as he struggles to remove blindfold

This article, written in June, has been republished as part of our Best of 2022 series. To read all of the series, and get the best of our award-winning journalism every day, sign up to Members' Club Ultimate here. Select 'Get Ultimate Monthly' and add code BESTOFFREE to get your first month completely free.

Frankie Dettori was left ruing his luck after struggling to remove the blindfold from Lord North in the Group 1 Prince of Wales's Stakes.

The jockey told stewards that the blindfold got caught in the bridle in the stalls, resulting in him taking several attempts to remove it and causing Lord North, who won the contest in 2020, to break slowly.

After losing several lengths at the start, Lord North, who was supported into 9-2 second favourite, raced in last for much of the race before making some headway with five furlongs to travel but was soon under pressure and dropped back through the field.

The six-year-old, who was fourth in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last month, was eased in the final 100 yards and finished three and a half lengths behind Sheema Classic winner Shahryar and seven lengths behind the Joseph O'Brien-trained winner State Of Rest.

"He couldn't get the blindfold off," said joint-trainer John Gosden. "It hasn't happened to Lord North before, nor the jockey much."

ITV Racing pundit and former jockey Jason Weaver described the incident as an "absolute nightmare" and said: "Frankie Dettori had his hands on the blind but it's tucked into the cheekpieces on the horse's bridle. When it does come out, it's all too late for them.

"The horse can't see the gates opening. That's an absolute shocker. It's one of those nightmare moments and it gave him no chance."

Frankie Dettori told Ascot stewards that the blindfold got caught in the bridle in the stalls

It left Dettori, who has 76 winners at the meeting, more than any current jockey, still looking for his first Royal Ascot success of 2022.

But he has leading chances on Thursday with Stradivarius in the Gold Cup and Reach For The Moon, a short-priced favourite for the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes.

The jockey is also set to partner Inspiral, favourite for the Group 1 Coronation Stakes (4.20) on Friday after missing the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.

Day two at Royal Ascot:

Under-fire Irad Ortiz handed five-day careless riding ban by stewards

'This is an absolute dream' - State Of Rest downs Bay Bridge for ecstatic Crosse

Jane Chapple-Hyam plots global campaign for 'special filly' Saffron Beach

'This sport can humble you - but we'll be back' - non-runner heartache for Head

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