Frankie Dettori endured a difficult day three, Her Majesty the Queen is still waiting for a winner and there was a 50/1 shock in the opener. Royal Ascot certainly delivered again today and here is how this drama-filled day unfolded.
2.30 - Norfolk Stakes
The Ridler at 50/1 secured a shock win in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot on day three as Paul Hanagan battled his way ahead of the favourite and the chasing pack. There was a slight level of controversy and a steward’s enquiry after The Riddler seemingly cut across the path of a few horses on his way to the post.
Trainer Richard Fahey actually won this race last year with Perfect Power and returned with aplomb as Hanagan got the job done under pressure for his second consecutive win. The steward's enquiry amounted to nothing and he got to keep the race win, although the fall-out from this race could continue over the afternoon.
2. Walbank 7/4 f
3. Crispy Cat 7/1
3.05 King George V Stakes
Secret State delivered as William Buick bagged another win, as he fought in the final furlong to hold off Deauville Legend. “Charlie had this as the plan for some time,” the winning jockey said after the race. “The step up in trip suited him and battled on well to the end. Frankie was in front so we didn’t go too fast and I was always happy where I was. He got lonely in front but went again when the horse came to him.”
1. Secret State 4/1
2. Deauville Legend 14/1
3. Israr 11/2
4. Savvy Knight 18/1
3.40 Ribblesdale Stakes
What a race this was! Sea Silk Road, the favourite looked for all the world that he had reeled in Magical Lagoon heading into the final furlong but somehow, the 11/4 shot battled back, and won the fight. It was incredible staying power and a deserved win as the favourite backers took another kicking.
1. Magical Lagoon 11/4
2. Sea Silk Road 15/8 f
4.20 Gold Cup
The pre-race favourite Kyprios has won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot as Ryan Moore put in a top display to give Aidan O’Brien his eighth win in this event.
Stradivarius, in his Ascot farewell, was once again caught up in the running and by the time Frankie Dettori had found him so space on the outside, it was too late. The eight-year-old, who was once again looking to match Yeats’ record of four Gold Cups, finished strongly but couldn’t quite close the gap to the top two.
2. Mojo Star 15/2
3. Stradivarius 2/1
5.00 Britannia Stakes
A thrilling finish from the 30-strong field who split into two and charged towards the line. Thesis under Ryan Moore, the jockey who Her Majesty the Queen refers to as ‘her jockey’, held off Frankie Dettori, wearing the Queen's colours on Saga.
1. Thesis 14/1
2. Saga 12/1
3. Jimi Hendrix 20/1
4. Whoputfiftyinyou 6/1
5.35 Hampton Court Stakes
It wasn’t a popular result amongst punters as Her Majesty the Queen’s 2/5 favourite Reach For The Moon was beaten to the line by 7/1 shot Claymore in the Hampton Court Stakes.
Claymore was perhaps underestimated given his poor run in the French 2000 Guineas when he was drawn wide and rushed up early. He silenced the critics that said he couldn’t produce on this ground with a stunning display from the front, and shut the door on the short-priced favourite.
It caps off a nightmare day for Frankie Dettori, having also lost on Stradivarius and Saga in the previous races. Unlike in the Gold Cup, this time he was in the perfect position to strike but Reach For The Moon couldn’t find the speed to get past the eventual winner.
2. Reach For The Moon ⅖
6.10 Buckingham Palace Stakes
Young trainer George Boughey gets his first Royal Ascot winner as Ben Curtis rides 12/1 Inver Park to glory. He used his inside draw to perfection and raced to the line as he powered clear of the field to take the win.
1. Inver Park 12/1
2. Montassib 7/2
3. Vafortino 7/1
4. Tanmawwy 8/1