Frankie Dettori is wrapping himself up in "bubble wrap " to ensure he gets to Royal Ascot this season.

It was a year ago that the popular Italian injured a shoulder which ruled him out of last year's meeting.

As a result Dettori is taking it easy in the lead-up to Royal Ascot, which begins next Tuesday.

Dettori said: "It was a year ago today that I broke my shoulder and it was awful.

"To me, Ascot is everything, and to injure myself four days before last year's Royal Ascot was very hard to take.

"At the moment, I am covering myself up in bubble wrap and hope I can get there on Tuesday.

"I have three rides before then; two on Saturday and one on Sunday.

"Races are hard to win and the meeting is extremely important for both the industry and the audience. It is everything, basically."

There is no doubt that Cracksman in the Prince of Wales's Stakes is Dettori's golden ticket, but he will also ride the likes of Stradivarius in the Gold Cup, Without Parole in the St James's Palace Stakes and Calyx in the Coventry Stakes.

"Cracksman is fine. I rode him yesterday and he is good;" said Dettori who will also team up with Royal Ascot maestro Wesley Ward and the Australian sprinter Redkirk Warrior (Diamond Jubilee Stakes).

"John Gosden will have a big team. We are all thinking we have a great book of rides, but it is very hard to win at Ascot and you can't take anything for granted.

"I am very excited and am going to enjoy it."