- Odds-on favourite Reach For The Moon suffers shock defeat
- Stradivarius also beaten by Kyprios in Gold Cup
Hopes that the Queen might have a Royal Ascot winner on Thursday in her platinum jubilee year were dashed as both Reach For The Moon, the odds-on favourite for the Hampton Court Stakes, and Saga, racing in the Britannia Handicap, finished in second. It completed a miserable afternoon for Frankie Dettori after his defeat on Stradivarius, one of the most popular horses in training, in the Gold Cup.
Reach For The Moon had been seen as a potential Derby contender earlier in his career and was backed like a near-certainty to set off at 2-5 against just five opponents. Dettori moved up to challenge Claymore, the leader, at the top of the home straight and briefly drew alongside approaching the furlong pole. His run soon petered out, however, and Adam Kirby got more from Claymore to win by nearly two lengths.
Written by Greg Wood at Ascot
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jun/16/queen-denied-narrowly-in-two-races-on-dramatic-day-at-royal-ascot-horse-racing under the title “Disappointment for Queen and Frankie Dettori on dramatic day at Royal Ascot”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
