Frankie Dettori rides 70th Royal Ascot winner as Fanny Logan swoops in Hardwicke

Not only did Fanny Logan win, she ran away with the Hardwicke Stakes, storming clear in the straight to score well under Frankie Dettori, who was recording Royal Ascot winner number 70 of his career.

Dettori has been perched highest on the riding tree for much of his career and invariably the world can be pretty from the Italian's point of view, but with three furlongs to go in the Hardwicke things weren't looking so good.

Fanny Logan made the turn for home in last position but, in what proved to be something of a slingshot manoeuvre from the Dettori, the John Gosden-trained filly motored past all eight rivals and sustained the momentum down the outside to win well at the line.

The strong pace certainly played to the strengths of Fanny Logan, who returned a 17-2 chance and finished clear of 40-1 runner-up Alounak and third-placed Defoe.

In the closing stages, 9-4 favourite Anthony Van Dyck found himself short of room under Ryan Moore, when he was hemmed in by rivals on his outside, namely Andrea Atzeni on 2019 Hardwicke ace Defoe.

Hamish, well fancied for William Haggas, shaped well in fourth when staying on nicely, while Elarqam, sent off the 11-4 second favourite, could finish only sixth.

Hardwicke Stakes result and replay

"It wasn't a fluke," Gosden said. "She went up to Haydock and I asked Rab to drop her out. She had the hood on then because she can be keen, he rode a lovely race and she ran on to be second and had a blow, so we know the benefit of getting that race in and she's been very bright and well in herself since."

Gosden added: "Frankie had the plan of making the running today but I told him I didn't think that was a good idea. Consequently that position was occupied by Communique who went a good clip, but he's ridden her coolly and sat out the back, swept down the outside and she's clearly the best on the day."

It has been another excellent week for Gosden and Dettori, and the trainer paid tribute to the 49-year-old rider after he recorded his 70th Royal Ascot success.

John Gosden: Frankie Dettori is 'one of the few who is extremely accurate talking about horses in the morning'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Gosden said: "He's belying his years and it's a pleasure to be around him. His knowledge and his feel riding work in the morning, he's one of the few who is extremely accurate talking about horses in the morning, what they need, what they don't need. He's a great race-reader and a fabulous jockey so we're lucky to have him about."

On future targets for Fanny Logan, Gosden added: "I think a mile and a half is perfect, a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half. We'll see where we go, she's a Group 2 winner now, which is fantastic for her. If there's a Group 1 fillies' race, maybe the colts as well, you can look at that, but you also have races like the Lancashire Oaks."

Not only have we learned that Gosden and Dettori are still the top dogs when it comes to the major races at the royal meeting, but the greatest showman doesn't necessarily need a crowd to play up to on the big occasion.

Dettori was in a typical playful mood after posting his momentous victory, after which he said: "I actually forgot I was one short of 70 so that's another milestone. Seventy is a lot."

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