Frankie Focus: Dettori's winning chances on day three of Royal Ascot
Planet Sport assesses all of Frankie Dettori's rides on day three of Royal Ascot 2021. Can he steer Stradivarius to victory in the Gold Cup at 4.15?
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3.05 Hampton Court Stakes - Snapraeterea
Winning the race headed by the favourite Mohaafeth could be as difficult for Snapraeterea as pronouncing the horse's name.
The Joseph Patrick O'Brien trained Snapraeterea looks to be a real outsider in the one mile one furlong contest but, with thunderstorms and rain forecast for Ascot, the colt's chances may well be set to increase.
Snapraeterea won his maiden on yielding ground at Bellewstown in Ireland and has since campaigned over twelve races with plenty of give in the ground in the Emerald Isle.
Much will depend on Dettori's ability to negotiate the Hampton Court maze of other riders but it wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility that wet ground and a step up in trip sees Snapraeterea squeak into the places.
Star rating: 2 stars
3.40 Ribblesdale Stakes - Gloria Mundi
Dettori and the Gosdens have won this race for the past two years, giving Gloria Mundi an excellent chance of claiming the hat-trick.
Likely to start as favourite, Gloria Mundi is owned and bred by Bjorn Neilson who also owns Stradivarius, a shoe-in for the Ascot Gold Cup later in the day, so you have to take the connections of the filly seriously.
Sired by the great Galileo, Gloria Mundi will face several unknown quantities, but, if she can progress & summon up some of the staying power of Stradivarius, then another win is on the cards for the Italian Duke of Ascot Dettori.
Star rating: 4 stars
4.15 Ascot Gold Cup - Stradivarius
Considered the banker of Royal Ascot 2021 and for good reason, Stradivarius and Dettori are after a record-equalling fourth Ascot Gold Cup win.
Star rating: 5 stars
5.00 Britannia Stakes - Mithras
Dettori and the Gosdens have another potential favourite on their hands with Mithras in this one mile contest for colts and geldings.
Although only 5th in his last start at Sandown, Mithras looked handy when taking a nice Class 2 handicap at Newbury before that.
A market mover from 10/1 into 5/1, there is confidence in the market that John and Thady Gosden, with a little help from Dettori can bring this colt on again.
A god of the racing world in Dettori, and a horse named after a god could be a heavenly combination.
Star rating: 4 stars
5.35 King George V Stakes - First Light
If all goes well, it could be a very bright day for John and Thady Gosden and Frankie Dettori by the time First Light sets out at 5.35.
Already backed in from 10/1 to 9/2, there is a buzz about this twelve length maiden winner from the mighty Gosden yard. The runaway win was on soft ground meaning any rain shouldn't be a problem for this three-year-old colt, over the one mile, four furlong trip.
There's opposition from Aidan O'Brien's Sir Lamorak and Godolphin's Siskany but if Dettori can get his mount to settle, there could well be a devastating turn of foot to give Gosden the spoils once more.
Star rating: 4 stars
6.10 Buckingham Palace Stakes - Bedouin's Story
One of Dettori's rare runners with Saeed Bin Suroor of the Godolphin empire, of whom Italian has such a rich history with, Bedouin's Story is not without a squeak of victory.
Star rating: 4 stars