Chaldean’s surprise next target before we try to take on Paddington again at Goodwood

ROYAL ASCOT was magical — but, sadly for us, we hit the bar a few times and went home without a winner.

We knocked at every door, the horses ran brilliantly all week, but we just couldn’t hit the back of the net.

ReutersDettori couldn’t land an Ascot winner on Chaldean but he could be back on board for the horse’s next target[/caption]

Personally, the highlight was definitely being part of the Royal Procession on Saturday.

The King and Queen got so, so much joy out of their winner earlier in the week and it really is so great for the sport they are continuing with all the brilliant traditions.

Their pride came through even on Saturday and they really had an enjoyable week.

I’d been invited before, but years and years ago — so it was special to be asked again and my wife Anna-Lisa loved it too.

I know Frankie said he wasn’t able to enjoy the lunch at Windsor Castle, but we had no excuses! At least with Frankie having just a coke, there was plenty left for us.

After Royal Ascot each year we have a few days away.

This week’s column has been done from a boat in the south of France, so sorry to everyone back at home! It’s a nicer view than from my office, anyway.

It’s always great to get away with an Ascot winner under our belts but it wasn’t quite to be.

We’ll still enjoy ourselves out here before diving back head first into the second half of the season.

Chaldean and Coltrane both ran great races in the St James’s Palace and the Gold Cup.

We’ll meet the winners again, I’m sure, and Chaldean has come out of the race brilliantly.

We came away from the Guineas thinking he needed ten furlongs in time but after Ascot we actually think we can drop back in trip.

He could well go to France next for the Jean Prat over seven furlongs.

He needs to be supplemented but we think he can run there and still head to Goodwood where we will have another go at Paddington.

Coltrane will go to the Goodwood Cup next and hopefully we can turn the tables with Courage Mon Ami.

There’s definitely not much between them and the winner was the only horse we didn’t know much about beforehand.

There are only so many races for these stayers but I guess that’s why it’s a division everyone loves.

There’s been another furore about the whip this week after Frankie and Oisin were both given eight day whip bans after Ascot.

It is very frustrating to be without Oisin for the July Meeting at Newmarket and poor Frankie won’t get one final crack at the July Cup.

Oisin has taken it on the chin and won’t be appealing.

He knows the consequences and isn’t one to sulk.

I can see why people are angry with so many suspensions and the length of them but I can’t see another option. We have to have these rules in place and it has to be a set amount.

If you go over the six cracks, then sadly you have to pay the price.

The jockeys will learn that way and if it means keeping the whip, then so be it. Losing it would be unthinkable.

My amazing team at home is keeping the show on the road and it means we can get away every now and then and not be constantly worried about what is going on at the yard.

We had three winners on Wednesday and that cheered everyone up after a frustrating Ascot.

You pull your hair out even more when the horses are going well but not quite winning.

When we’re in a quiet patch you just don’t run them so expectations are down.

But it’s the opposite at the moment so let’s hope for a few more victories over the weekend.

The Northumberland Plate is the big race and we send two up to Newcastle for that.

Both BERKSHIRE ROCCO (2.05) and AZTEC EMPIRE are priced up as outsiders but I’d give them more of a squeak than that.

Rocco has been a bit frustrating recently but we know this is his optimum trip. He should go better than he did at Ascot.

And Aztec Empire is still unexposed, especially at this distance.

He’s a smart horse and has been working much better at home. He loves the synthetic surface and I think he’ll run a good race.

Then at Newmarket BERKSHIRE SHADOW (1.50) is back out.

Obviously this is a bit of an after- thought considering he ran in the Queen Anne, but he’s bouncing back home and it looked a good spot. He should go close.

Away from the more familiar names I think SCINTILLANTE (2.32) is our best chance of a winner.

It’s still early days for him and he ran well on his handicap debut when he was a bit unlucky at Newbury. He’ll definitely go well.

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