Another close-run day for bookmakers and punters at Ascot

Mixed results for all concerned on penultimate afternoon.

Bookmakers were claiming a cautious verdict in their favour after day four of five in their Royal Ascot battle with the punters.

“Honours even” was as far as Coral were prepared to go in their summary of results, which included just one successful favourite along with a raft of well-backed winners nonetheless.

But after Hollie Doyle tilted the balance with her first Royal Ascot winner – 33-1 shot Scarlet Dragon in the closing Duke of Edinburgh Stakes – Betway were bold enough to reflect on “a day to savour” for their books.

Tim Easterby’s Art Power (6-4 favourite) got the punters off to a flying start with an impressive win as he scooted home three and a half lengths clear in the opening Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap.

Thereafter, five winners came in at between 100-30 and 17-2, ensuring a tight fight between layers and backers.

Betway’s PR manager Chad Yeomans took a positive view, citing the eclipse of several well-punted short shots and then the bonus of Doyle beating another favourite into third in the last.

“It’s definitely been a day to savour for us today,” he said.

“It started off a bit glum with the well-backed Art Power doing this business in the opener – but since then, the pendulum has swung in our favour, and there have been plenty of foiled gambles.

“Setarhe (Albany Stakes), Eye Of Heaven (Norfolk) and Pierre Lapin (Commonwealth Cup) were all strong fancies from plenty of the Betway punters – and seeing them all get beat brought a few smiles on the trading room floor.

“Scarlet Dragon’s success in the last under the superb Hollie Doyle was another welcome result, and gives us a nice advantage as we move into a busy Saturday.”

Coral’s David Stevens was more measured, having taken plenty of money for at least four winners.

He said: “For the fourth consecutive day at this year’s Royal Ascot, it was a case of honours even between punters and bookies, with Art Power getting favourite-backers off to a great start.

“While market leaders such as Setarhe, Eye Of Heaven and Anthony Van Dyck were all beaten, winners like The Lir Jet, Golden Horde and Santiago didn’t go unbacked.”

Ladbrokes’ Nicola McGeady told a similar tale.

“It has been a really close battle between bookies and punters all week,” she said.

“Today hasn’t been a tremendous day for us by any means but with only one winning favourite we head into the final day slightly in front.”

Paddy Power “won a small amount on the day” and are “slightly ahead on the week” too.

Spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Art Power got punters off to a flyer literally, but results then went our way until we saw late cash for Santiago – which was unwelcome in hindsight.”

Fanny Logan’s Hardwicke Stakes victory was one for the hugely popular Frankie Dettori – but the Italian has yet to make the bookies sweat as much as last year, when he rode the first four winners on day three.

Stevens added: “This year’s Royal meeting has been remarkably drama-free with regard to the betting action, with no repeat of last year’s Frankie’s four to make us nervous.

“We’d happily take one final day when both sides have something to cheer in this unusual year.”

While Dettori has ridden three winners so far this week, Jim Crowley has double that tally – despite none on Friday – and is Coral and Ladbrokes’ overwhelming favourite at 4-11 to be crowned top jockey.

Ryan Moore is his closest pursuer entering the final day, at 2-1 with Coral, and Dettori a 16-1 shot.

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