Update winner Docklands (advised @ 14/1)

Thirty one years after his first win in the Ascot Gold Cup aboard Drum Taps, Frankie Dettori won the Royal Ascot showpiece event for a ninth time when steering the unbeaten Courage Mon Ami to a three parts of a length win. The gelded son of Frankel won a handicap at Goodwood (1m 6f) on his previous start off a mark of 98 and this longer trip certainly played to the four year old's strengths. Positioned in rear, the John and Thady Gosden trained runner made his move turning for home. Having navigated his way through the majority of his field, Dettori's mount showed signs of inexperienced before knuckling down late on to collar the favourite Coltrane. Featured in the Top 40 Prospects, it was a terrific performance by such a lightly raced horse. Qatari based owners Wathnan Racing purchased him and the Queens Vase Stakes winner Gregory recently and both are exciting young staying prospects. 

It has been a tough couple of days for Update subscribers but thankfully the tide turned late on Thursday with Docklands (advised @ 14/1) winning the Britannia Stakes. An impressive winner over course and distance last month, the Massaat gelding defied a fourteen pounds rise to reel in New Dimension close home. Having travelled strongly, Hayley Turner's mount found plenty for pressure inside the final furlong. The three year old was providing his trainer Harry Eustace with his second Royal winner and his jockey's fourth - Hayley Turner rides the straight track at Ascot particularly well (all 4 of her Royal Ascot winners have been on it). 

Earlier in the day, Desert Hero provided King Charles III with his first Royal Ascot winner when taking the King George V Handicap Stakes. Only eighth in the London Gold Cup at Newbury last time, the son of Sea The Stars relished the step up to a mile and a half coming off a strong gallop to lead close home. I was keen on the prospects of both Davideo and Wonder Legend but the pair, in particular the former, received kamikaze rides going far too fast early on. In the circumstances, James Ferguson's colt ran very well to finish so close. There will be other days for him.

Another Top 40 entry Bluestocking ran well finishing third in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes. Runner-up behind Warm Heart at Newbury last month, Frankie Dettori's mount was short of room on the inside before finishing strongly. Ralph Beckett's filly would have preferred slower ground, too, and is another who has some big days ahead of her.