Royal Ascot has seen some top class racing this week where horses and jockeys excelled to give us all a great spectacle.

Frankie Dettori was seen at his very best when riding a treble on Wednesday aboard Surprise Encounter, Seba and the excellent Fantastic Light.

Congratulations must go to the North's Mark Johnson who had three winners at the meeting including the Ascot Gold Cup with Royal Rebel.

The Jockey Club announced a new medical system this week when jockeys who normally, if knocked out for three minutes are automatically suspended for a three-week period, will now sit a concussion test.

This will assess a rider, via a series of tests which will provide a baseline figure. If a rider is concussed they will be tested after seven days and these results will determine the length of suspension on medical grounds.

A six minute exercise measures a person's memory, reaction time and general brain function. Its quick and simple and will assist doctors to determine when jockeys will be fit to ride. Jockeys will hopefully be allowed back in the saddle sooner when their concussion is not serious.

We've had some success this week, Rudetski won nicely at Musselburgh on Monday, Al Azhar and Jeffrey Anotherred both ran well in defeat at Thirsk finishing second and third respectively. Mungo Park yet again was placed second at Salisbury - he ran a great race.

Sadly Northern Echo could not manage better than third in a six horse field at Ayr yesterday.

Next week Mungo Park will probably return to Salisbury on Thursday. Hopefully compensation awaits.

I may run Rudetski and Al Azhar again at Newcastle. They will both run well.

Column Published: 23/06/01