Frankly Darling struts her stuff as Gosden reaches Royal Ascot half century

John Gosden registered his 50th Royal Ascot winner in fitting fashion as Frankly Darling delivered a rousing performance in the Ribblesdale Stakes to put herself firmly in the Investec Oaks picture.

Even with no crowds in attendance, rider Frankie Dettori could not help himself from conducting a flying dismount after a dominant display at the expense of Aidan O'Brien pair Ennistymon and Passion.

Frankly Darling was immediately cut to 3-1 (from 8) by Paddy Power for the Oaks after her victory in a race that is normally a consolation that follows the Epsom Classic.

Watch Frankly Darling romp home in the Ribblesdale

Representing the same trainer, jockey and owner combination as last year's winner Star Catcher, Anthony Oppenheimer's filly wore a red hood to post and was keen enough without it in the early stages of the race, until Dettori dropped anchor in behind front-runner Golden Lips.

Content to get a nice tow until the bend, the 11-8 favourite was in the best position to strike for home from this point and was not for catching.

Gosden indicated afterwards that the winner would head to the Oaks, a race the Newmarket trainer has previously won three times, including last year with Anapurna.

Frankie Dettori guides Frankly Darling home in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "Frankly Darling showed an awful lot of class today and if I have an Oaks filly it's her. She's a bit wild and has a lot of Frankel about her in that it's her business when she wants to run and not the jockey's, but she did it well."

Having only her third career start and second on turf, Frankly Darling was supplementing her first career win which came at Newcastle just two weeks ago.

The trainer added: "Luckily she got in on the first day at Newcastle as they split the race and that allowed us to then come here. Ordinarily we would have run her at Newbury in April and then a trial in May but we had to do things differently this year as you can imagine.

"That's 50 not out at Royal Ascot for ourselves which is remarkable as it's hard to win even one race at this meeting."

Frankie Dettori said: "This filly has got some lungs. We were burning plenty of petrol in the first half of the race as she was overracing a bit but I managed to slow her down turning for home and she had every chance of stopping if she wanted to but she kept finding.

"She galloped out really well and I would imagine all roads lead to Epsom for the Oaks after that. She's learned a bit today as it was only her third start and I'm very excited."

Frankie Dettori performs his trademark flying dismount after winning the Ribblesdale Stakes with Frankly Darling at Royal AscotCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Ennistymon, who was the outsider of O'Brien runners, finished a length and three-quarters behind Frankly Darling in second.

James Doyle said of the runner-up: "Ennistymon has run well. It was hard to come from where we did off a slow pace. It was hard to make ground but it was a good effort."

For all our exclusive free bet offers and must-have daily promotions click the free bets button or go to racingpost.com/freebets