Marco Ghiani cleared to return to ride 'Group 1 horse' Real World at York

Leading apprentice Marco Ghiani has been cleared to return to the saddle in the nick of time to ride Real World in the Group 3 Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall Stakes at York on Saturday.

The 22-year-old sustained a micro fracture to his knee in a fall from Papa Stour at Lingfield on the third night of the William Hill Racing League last Thursday, and faced an anxious wait to see if he would be fit to return to the saddle in time.

Ghiani, speaking on Wednesday, said: "I had a little fracture on my knee and pulled a ligament after the fall, but it was nothing big thankfully.

Marco Ghiani: on course to be crowned this year's champion apprenticeCredit: Megan Ridgwell

"I had medical tests this morning and the doctors are happy, so I will be moved on to the BHA’s amber injury list. I will need to be checked at York on Saturday morning, but everything should be fine and I will be booked to ride."

Ghiani has had a meteoric rise through the ranks this year and leads the apprentice championship on 38 winners, 17 clear of nearest rival Saffie Osborne.

The Italian has struck up a productive partnership with Real World, on whom he gained his first Royal Ascot victory with a dominant display in the Royal Hunt Cup and then a Listed success at Newbury a month later.

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Real World had been set to race in the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock two weeks ago before being pulled out on the morning of the race due to the soft ground, with trainer Saeed bin Suroor aiming him instead at the Strensall on the final day of York’s Ebor meeting, for which he is the 13-8 favourite with sponsor Sky Bet.

Victory on Saturday would be a first at Group level for Ghiani, who was determined not to miss the ride.

He said: "I can’t wait. It will mean a lot. He’s my favourite horse and it’s so nice to have good rides in big races. He should have a big chance.

"Everyone says you need one good horse to really take you to the next level. He's that, he's a machine. I definitely think he's a Group 1 horse."

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