Sure enough, he knocked in a day two double paying combined tasty odds of 75-1! Talk about not being able to keep a good man down.
Don't forget. A five-day horse racing festival is a marathon, not a sprint.
Even if day two at Royal Ascot was as much of a wash-out on the results front for you as it was with the weather, then fear not. We're not yet half-way through the meeting. Happily, the weather prospects are better for the remainder of the week.
But given the amount of rain that's already fallen on the course, it's essential to look out for horses which put their best hoof forward when there's give underfoot for the rest of the meeting. Even if we enjoy a couple of drying days, this will only likely take the going to 'good' by Saturday afternoon.
Today's race highlight is the meeting's centre-piece contest, namely, the Ascot Gold Cup. Once again that man Dettori will be in the spotlight, as he looks to ride back-to-back wins in this race on the big-race favourite, Stradivarius.
There's also the classy Ribblesdale Stakes for middle-distance 3yo fillies to crack, plus a couple of fiendishly tricky handicaps also restricted to runners from the Classic generation.
Be lucky!
PHILIPPOS
Royal Ascot
Stalls: straight course, centre. Round course, inside
NAP: STRADIVARIUS
NB: SIR RON PRIESTLEY
2:30 Norfolk Stakes (Group 2) Five furlongs
There's a hot favourite in this race in the shape of Sunday Sovereign. At cramped odds of 5/2, he may be one for your Placepot selections, but let's try and find a bigger-priced winner. Maybe Joseph O'Brien holds the key. He has made a stellar start to his training career but has yet to register a win at Royal Ascot. AIR FORCE JET (8/1) could be the horse to change all that and makes appeal at a working man's price. In a race where there may be question marks over one or two of the shorter-priced runners, another to consider is Expressionist (8/1) running in the royal blue of Godolphin. At even bigger odds, it's interesting to note that Real Appeal (16/1) changed hands for the thick end of three hundred thousand pounds just a few days ago.
3:05 Hampton Court Stakes (Group3) One mile, two furlongs
The first of no less than four races on the card all confined to three-year-olds. Perhaps Royal Ascot's race planners could have a word with themselves. CAPE OF GOOD HOPE (6/1) won a Derby trial earlier in the season and ran ok to be fourth in the Prix Du Jockey Club in France last time. He will have the assistance of the week's leading jockey Ryan Moore and today could be his day in the sun. Two others to bring into calculations are Sangarius (8/1) and Cap Francais (16/1). Both will appreciate a bit of dig in the ground and that's going to be essential today.
3:40 Ribblesdale Stakes (Group 2) Fillies One mile, four furlongs
This race revolves around whether or not you are in the camp of the favourite, Fleeting. Although she's been supplemented for today's race having finished third in the Epsom Oaks, I'm inclined to be against her, especially at cramped odds. To take her on, there's no better trainer to have in your corner than John Gosden. His pair of STAR CATCHER (7/1) and Fanny Logan (16/1) should give the jolly a fight. At humungous odds, it may be that Peach Tree (33/1) is simply there to make the pace for her stablemate Fleeting. But if, as is possible, the race turns attritional, the former may still be there at the finish. That would be a peach of a result.
4:30 Gold Cup (Group 1) Two miles, four furlongs
The Royal meeting's centre-piece race, run over a stamina-sapping distance which will be accentuated further by today's soft going. While I was happy to oppose the favourite in the Ribblesdale, it's difficult to get away from the chances of market-leader STRADIVARIUS (6/5) in this contest. He's going for back-to-back victories in the race, has the assistance of Frankie Dettori in the plate and there only appears to be a couple of rivals who are likely to give him a fright. The first is Dee Ex Bee (6/1). You rule out Mark Johnson-stayers at your peril and this colt had enough class last season to come second in the Epsom Derby. I'm less convinced about the merits of the globe-trotting Cross Counter (9/2) for Godolphin. But these three should be clear of the pack by the two furlong pole, so maybe a combination tricast on the trio is the way to go here.
5:00 Britannia Stakes (Heritage Handicap) One mile straight
I love the Britannia. It's basically a race for those 3yo milers who haven't quite developed into top class colts in the first part of the season, but who are still classy animals in their own right. A 30-runner field doesn't make finding the winner any easier, but let's have a go anyway. Trainer William Haggas has already notched a couple of winners this week and he runs a pair of contenders in this. The one I like is AWE (14/1). Trainer John Gosden has won this race four times in the past and he saddles two contenders with live chances. Of the pair, I prefer Turgenev (16/1) who possibly ran over a trip too far last time. Davydenko (16/1) has a fighting chance of making the frame as well.
5:35 King George V Stakes (Handicap) One mile, four furlongs
Another cracking handicap to finish with just the 19 runners set to go to post. The standout for me is SIR RON PRIESTLEY (6/1) from the Mark Johnson stable, although it's true he's untested on ground as deep as this. Another contender to take note of from the top of the market is Sinjaari (13/2). It's a bit of a leap of faith, but at a colossal each-way price Kaloor (50/1) may out-run his odds. Look for bookmakers paying five places!
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