3 minute read
The darkest day in bookmaking history could be on the horizon according to one layer if Ascot ace Frankie Dettori takes centre stage again on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot on Saturday.
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."
Victories in the first four races on the Thursday of the royal meeting was a case in point and the layers were left raising a toast to Britannia Stakes winner Biometric after Harry Bentley's mount swept past Dettori and 7-2 favourite Turgenev in the fifth race.
Dettori could partner the favourite in the first three races – and in four of the six races on the card – on Saturday starting with Advertise in the British Champions Sprint. Martyn Meade's three-year-old is vying for favouritism for the 6f contest at around 4-1.
In the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes Dettori teams up with 15-8 market leader Star Catcher for John Gosden, who has supplied the rider with 14 of his top-level triumphs in 2019, while the same trainer's Stradivarius is a best-priced 4-5 for the British Champions Long Distance Cup.
King Of Comedy, Dettori's intended ride in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, is around a 12-1 shot, while Coronet, a 5-1 shot for the Champion Stakes, is not without claims.
The 48-year-old's day ends with him back on another possible favourite in the shape of Gosden's Cambridgeshire winner Lord North , around a 5-1 chance for the Balmoral Handicap.
Orr, referring to Dettori's previous Ascot exploits, said: "It's back to the scene of the crime for Frankie and if his four projected favourites – Advertise, Star Catcher, Stradivarius and Lord North – were all to oblige at the forecast prices it would be a terrible day, but not a complete disaster.
"However, if King Of Comedy and Coronet were to pitch in with victories, such is the popularity of Dettori and Gosden then, it's safe to say, it would be the darkest day in bookmaking history."
Some bookmakers came under fire this summer when refusing to accept multiple bets on Dettori's mounts, fearing a repeat of his 25,051-1 seven-timer in 1996 which earned one punter a £500,000 payout.
Layers are not set to limit Dettori multiples on Saturday, however, as Orr added: "We have no plans to impose any restrictions on Frankie multiple bets."
Sky Bet drew criticism for restricting their liabilities on Dettori's mounts on the final day of Royal Ascot but will be accepting accumulators on the rider's mounts on Saturday
Spokesman Michael Shinners said: "Frankie looks to have a fabulous book of rides for Champions Day and, after a brilliant season, is bound to be popular.
"Sky Bet will be offering the multiple on all of Frankie's rides at Ascot on Saturday and will monitor the liabilities as we always do."
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