3 minute read

It could be called unexpected but Dettori won the Gold Cup.

That was on Courage Mon Ami who received one of those memorable Dettori rides as he battled down the straight against the second and favourite Coltrane.  Subjectivist led them a merry dance until the last three hundred metres when Coltrane surged and Courage Mon Ami found a gap along the fence to set up the exciting finish.

The afternoon started off with a record for the longest odds at Ascot for the winner Valiant Force who was at 150/1 for Adrian Murray and Rossa Ryan, and then Malc ran second at 66/1, with favourite Elite Status third.  If you were in the UK and lucky enough to have the trifecta on the Tote you would be Stg 25,160 richer today.

The Ribblesdale did have Al Asifah running so there had been some confusion about that – the non-runner was Infinite Cosmos.  Warm Heart did just that as she defeated Lumiere Rock 14/1 and Blue Stocking.  The Australian Bloodstock owned Understated was never in the race.

And then the Gold Cup which followed a royal win in the King George V Heritage Handicap with Desert Hero winning – William Haggas and Tom Marquand on song.

The Hampton Court Stakes G3 2000m was a win for Waipiro and the second leg of a double for Tom Marquand with Ed Walker the trainer concerned.  Exoplanet and Bold Act followed.

But the day will be remembered for Frankie Dettori and the Gold Cup ride.