Bookmakers avoid Royal Ascot wipeout after Dettori is denied in Britannia

Frankie Dettori had bookmakers on red alert after riding the first four winners at Royal Ascot on Ladies' Day, but his bid to go through the card was foiled when Turgenev was overhauled late on by Biometric in the Britannia Stakes.

The 48-year-old completed a 449-1 four-timer on A'Ali, Sangarius Star Catcher and Stradivarius, and Turgenev was sent off the 7-2 favourite as bookmakers took evasive action.

Even though Turgenev was beaten it was still an extremely costly day for bookmakers.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “I’m not sure if we’ve got enough cash left in the expenses budget, but hopefully the ‘powers that be’ will be sending a bunch of flowers and a bottle of champers to Ralph Beckett and Harry Bentley.”

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams echoed those sentiments, and said: “It's been a terrible day for the bookmakers but it would have been Armageddon if Frankie had won the lot."

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)

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