Frankie Dettori has bookmakers on red alert after riding the first four winners at Royal Ascot on Ladies’ Day.

The 48-year-old completed a 449-1 four-timer on A’Ali, Sangarius Star Catcher and Stradivarius, and has strongly fancied rides in the remaining two races.

Bookmakers have taken swift evasive action on his remaining rides, Turgenev (5.00) and Questionare (5.35).

(Note 6pm and 6:35 pm SA Time)

Following victory for evens favourite Stradivarius in the Gold Cup, Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “This is absolutely horrific and if Frankie’s next two mounts win it’s the biggest pay out we’ve ever had.”

Prior to Stradivarius’s success, Nicola McGeady, head of PR for Ladbrokes, said: “It’s panic stations at Ladbrokes HQ after Frankie rode a treble, and with huge liabilities on Stradivarius, Turgenev and Questionare we are on the verge of facing the worst day in Royal Ascot history.”

Dettori is racing’s most familiar figure and famously rode seven winners from seven mounts in a day at Ascot in 1996.

Frankie’s four winners
Norfolk Stakes A’Ali (5-1)
Hampton Court Stakes Sangarius (13-2)
Ribblesdale Stakes Star Catcher (4-1)
Gold Cup Stradivarius (evens)

The Frankie train came to a halt in the Britannia but only just as he and Turgenev were collared in the final strides by Biometric. Ralph Beckett and Harry Bentley were the spoil sports

In the final race of the day – the King George V Stakes, Questionare, Frankie’s ride, was never involved. South Pacific (Seamie Heffernan) was the winner.

Credit-Tab News