Bookies breathe sigh of relief after Dettori sends shockwaves through industry

One layer joked Ascot should erect a statue of Harry Bentley after he denied Frankie Dettori a fabulous five-timer that would have left bookmakers – already reeling from the top rider's awesome foursome – staring at disaster.

No Flat rider captures the general public's attention as much as Dettori, who had most of Berkshire in the palm of his hand when winning the first four races on day three of the royal meeting.

They included supreme stayer Stradivarius in the Gold Cup - a result that left bookies fearing the worst.

Frankie Dettori strokes Stradivarius after winning the Gold CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

For much of the Britannia - the fifth race on the card - it looked like more Dettori delight as he swept clear on Turgenev for his closest ally John Gosden.

However, the 7-2 favourite weakened late and was nabbed by the Ralph Beckett-trained Biometric, whose rider Bentley punched the air in triumph, an act likely repeated in trading offices.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: "We suffered some significant losses on the Frankie quartet, but, even after Turgenev was cruelly defeated in the Britannia, if Questionare had won the last it would have been one of the worst three days in the history of the company.

"I'm not sure if we've got enough cash left in the expense 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."

Ladbrokes were singing from the same ledger and Nicola McGeady said: "Frankie Dettori is the toast of the nation after an incredibly dramatic day at Royal Ascot. We are hugely relieved to have avoided the worst case scenario of a magnificent six, but we are by no means celebrating.

"A four-timer for the most popular jockey at the biggest meeting of the Flat season is a shocking result."

Frankie Dettori gives the camera a kiss after winning on SangariusCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dettori, memorably, recorded a magnificent seven at Ascot in 1996, and Betfair were another firm to breathe a huge sigh of relief.

Barry Orr said: "The first four winners were bad results but if either of Frankie's last two mounts had have won, all previous known losses would have paled into insignificance. That includes Cheltenham calamities such as Annie Power. "

Coral's David Stevens added: "Twenty-three years ago Frankie Dettori cost the bookmaking industry £40 million when he rode his Magnificent Seven at Ascot, but those losses would have been dwarfed by the payout we faced if he won six out of six today, something which looked possible after Stradivarius made it four wins from four when defending his Gold Cup crown.

"It looked like it would be five out of five when Turgenev went clear in the Britannia, but Biometric has become our favourite horse of the year when spoiling the punters' party, and Questionare's defeat in the last meant that what was still a very bad day didn't become a terrible day."

Sky Bet were also petrified and Michael Shinners said: "After the first four races we were looking down the barrel of the worst day in Sky Bet history.

"The final furlong of the Britannia when Biometric reeled in Turgenev represented the biggest swing in recent memory for the bookmaking industry. Despite the final two results going our way it has still been very much a day for the punters and many of them go into tomorrow with plenty of money in their accounts."

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