Bookmakers have the edge after Churchill eclipse sinks multiples

Bookmakers had regarded the oncoming train of favourites over the five days of Royal Ascot with something approaching dread but, despite seeing two of the biggest names on day one go in, the defeat of Churchill in the feature St James's Palace Stakes provided the layers with a major fillip.

Sent off at 1-2, Aidan O'Brien's dual Guineas winner formed the centrepiece of numerous multiples, not only on Tuesday but across the week for many ante-post punters.

Paddy Power described Churchill's defeat as "an absolute beano", while Coral took the view that it was honours even on a day of otherwise punter-friendly results.

While Ribchester and Lady Aurelia were both well backed to follow up their wins at this meeting 12 months ago, starting prices of 11-10 and 7-2 showed just what a spread of business there was across the first two Group 1s of the day.

The Willie Mullins-trained Thomas Hobson was a second winning favourite on the card in the Ascot Stakes, a result that put most firms marginally behind on the day.

Fate of the favourites

Race | horse | odds | finishing position

2.30 Queen Anne Stakes, Ribchester 11-10, 1st
3.05 Coventry Stakes, Brother Bear 4-1, 4th
3.40 King's Stand Stakes, Marsha 11-4, 3rd
4.20 St James's Palace Stakes, Churchill 1-2, 4th
5.00 Ascot Stakes, Thomas Hobson 4-1, 1st
5.35 Windsor Castle Stakes, Declarationofpeace 13-8, 22nd

Paul Binfield of Paddy Power said: "It’s been a rollercoaster ride. Ribchester and Lady Aurelia were terrible results, but getting Churchill beat was an absolute beano, with Aidan’s dual Guineas hero being very well backed and ruling out the multiple mayhem that was feared by the bookmaking industry.

"Just when we thought we’d escaped, Willie Mullins and Ryan Moore kicked us in the teeth and we’re a small bit behind after the first day."

Churchill (orange striped cap) subsides to fourth in the St James's Palace Stakes, leaving many multiples across the week in tattersCredit: Mike Hewitt

Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: "Victories for Ribchester and Lady Aurelia left us sweating and, although Barney Roy was popular, a win for Churchill would have been the nail in the coffin on day one. Tomorrow looks to be more bookie-friendly, with Happy Like A Fool the one we will fear most."

But it was the early demise of so many combination bets featuring the four or five Group 1 bankers of the week that undoubtedly had the biggest effect on trade.

Coral's David Stevens said: "Although Churchill's defeat put paid to hopes of a clean sweep for the banker bets this week, punters struck back in the other races and at the end of day one it's honours even, with all to play for."

Results and analysis