Doyle first choice for Appleby at Royal Ascot as Buick continues rehabilitation

James Doyle will have the pick of Charlie Appleby's runners at Royal Ascot as William Buick continues to recover from the fall that left him with a post head-injury syndrome.

Doyle can look forward to riding the likes of Masar, Cross Counter, Blue Point and Barney Roy at the five-day royal meeting, which starts on Tuesday, June 18.

Doyle has yet to ride a Group 1 winner for Godolphin trainer Appleby in Britain, but the pair have enjoyed a number of top-level successes abroad, including with the globetrotting Jungle Cat at Meydan and Caulfield last year.

Speaking on Saturday, Appleby said: "James will be riding the horses at Ascot. William is stepping up on his gym work and he looks great, bright and fresh. He's just getting a bit frustrated sitting on the sidelines.

"They both work well as friends and as a team, and William has given James all the information he can on the likes of Blue Point and Cross Counter. James is fortunate he's been riding the pair of them this morning and he's been happy with them."

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby in his car on the gallops with William BuickCredit: Edward Whitaker

Buick was forced to miss Epsom's Derby meeting due to the head injury picked up in a fall on the way to post at Ascot on May 10. He has not ridden since May 11.

Of Buick's return, Appleby said: "He has not given us a date when he's going to come back and I said to him this morning there's no urgency.

"We all know it's a long season and as important as Royal Ascot is, William's not going to turn up when he doesn't feel he's 100 per cent. He's always been a complete professional with his fitness. When he's ready, he'll tell us and we'll be ready for him."

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