Sean Levey facing another four weeks or more on the sidelines after shoulder op

Sean Levey remains four weeks or more away from returning to the saddle after further x-rays on the collar bone he broke at Salisbury at the end of last month suggested an operation was required.

Levey, who will miss the ride on his breakthrough Classic winner Billesdon Brook in Thursday's Qatar Nassau Stakes, confirmed: "When it first happened Goodwood was a realistic target for my return, but I ended up having to have an operation and that's set me back, although it will be better for me in the long run.

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"We initially thought it was just a collar bone, but when they took x-rays to see how it was mending they recommended I saw a specialist, who said I should do the right thing and have an operation."

He added: "I had the operation two weeks ago, and they put a big screw in my left shoulder to hold it together better. It's going to be another three weeks before I'm reassessed and they can decide whether to take that screw out.

"Until they do there's not a lot I can do. I'm going to Oaksey House, but I've got limited mobility and there's not a lot I can do there so I'm just tipping away."

Billesdon Brook: heads for the Nassau Stakes on ThursdayCredit: Mark Cranham

Levey is unsure about whether he will be at Goodwood on Thursday to see Billesdon Brook as he wants to spend time at home in Ireland catching up with his family. Richard Hannon has yet to reveal who will replace him on the filly but Levey hopes he will not look too far from home.

He said: "The owners [Pall Mall Partners and Mrs Bob McCreery] have been great and they have given myself, Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle our best winners to date, so I wouldn't be surprised if Tom got the leg up."

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