The darkest day in bookmaking history could be on the horizon according to one Bookie if Ascot ace Frankie Dettori takes centre stage again on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot today.
The Racing Post reports that Dettori, who brought the betting industry to its knees with his Magnificent Seven at the course in 1996, is riding the crest of a wave after his glorious summer yielded 17 Group 1s and top jockey honours at Royal Ascot in June.
And the ‘Frankie factor’ – where punters blindly follow the rider no matter what – is what bookmakers fear most.
Betfair’s Barry Orr explained: “We find that customers who don’t ordinarily place multiple bets throw caution to the wind when it comes to Frankie on these big days, especially when he has realistic chances in all six races – they don’t want to miss out if he strikes gold.”
Magical (pictured above) heads nine final declarations for the QIPCO British Champion Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien’s filly won the Irish Champion Stakes and finished second to Enable in the Coral-Eclipse and Yorkshire Oaks earlier in the season, with her trainer opting for the 10-furlong race at Ascot this weekend. Stablemate I Can Fly also runs in the race.
Magical had entries in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and the Fillies & Mares as well, but takes the Champion Stakes option where she will face the well-backed Addeybb, trained by William Haggas.
Neil Morrice writes on the Hollywoodbets Blog that while question marks hover over several of the leading protagonists in this, that is unequivocally not the case with Addeybb who has been imperious when faced with stamina sapping conditions.
He excelled in a racecourse gallop at Newmarket, having previous to that hacked up in a quagmire in the Group 3 Rose Of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock.
His defeat in the QEII here a year ago is now a distant memory, and with cheek pieces added he looked very good on his latest start. He’s also a Royal Ascot winner over the course and distance and could easily be up to Group 1 level.
Qipco British Champions Sprint (Group 1)
It’s hard to think there will be an upset of the magnitude of 28-1 roughie Sands Of Mali in this last year and connections of HELLO YOUMZAIN must be rubbing their hands in welcome of the persistent rain that’s hit the course this week. Kevin Ryan’s change has everything in his favour as he’s lightly raced, loves to get his toe in and looks a worthy favourite. He made all to post a first Group 1 triumph in the Haydock Sprint Cup and if able to adopt similar forcing tactics will be hard to catch.
His jockey James Doyle is full,of praise for the colt and said: “I rode him 8n the Greenham in the sprIng but he’s a proper sprinter as he showed when beat8ng Calyx and was very professional in the Haydock Cup.”
Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Group 1)
French winners of the QEII are rare and the fact that only Solow in 2015 has triumphed for that nation since 2000 is testament to that.
The book rarely runs for cover upon sight of a Gallic participant but that’s not been the case with THE REVENANT who has dominated market exchanges during the build up to this prestigious mile contest.
Read more and see the Neil Morrice selections on Hollywoodbets Blog
