Ryan Moore generally shuns the limelight but will find it difficult to stay out of view of the cameras and the microphones this week at Royal Ascot if he repeats last year’s record-breaking feat.
Moore was leading jockey at the royal meeting last year with nine winners and has another strong book of rides for main retainers Ballydoyle as well as a few interesting mounts for former boss Sir Michael Stoute, though it’s been announced that the flying American filly Acapulco will duck the King’s Stand Stakes on the opening day and be saved for the Commowealth Cup on Friday.
Unsurprisingly, Moore is a hot favourite to be leading jockey again this year (a best 4/11). Frankie Dettori is a best 5/1 with Ladbrokes with William Buick, expected to get the pick of the Godolphin runners, at a general 16/1. It’s the same odds for Andrea Atzeni while Godolphin’s number two James Doyle is a best 20/1.
Ladbrokes’ Odds to be Leading Jockey at Royal Ascot
Ryan Moore (1/3), Frankie Dettori (5/1), Andrea Atzeni, James Doyle, Pat Smullen and William Buick (16/1), Silvestre De Sousa (20/1), Paul Hanagan and Jamie Spencer (33/1)
The race to be Leading Trainer at Royal Ascot looks a lot more competitive but bookmakers have taken wildly differing views about several stables. Aidan O’Brien will again hold a strong hand in most of the two-year-old races and will aiming some top-class three-year-olds at the top prizes as well so looks a worthy favourite at the general 8/13 – those odds will disappear quickly if Caravaggio and The Gurkha win on the opening day.
John Gosden is a best 5/1 with Stan James who have Sir Michael Stoute at 12/1. The same firm are also best odds on Mark Johnston, William Haggas and Charlie Appleby. Roger Varian is a best 12/1 with Richard Hannon at 14/1 with one bookmaker, though he doesn’t look to have as strong a team as normal this year.
Stan James’ Odds for Leading Trainer at Royal Ascot
Aidan O’Brien (1/3), John Gosden (5/1), Richard Hannon (6/1), Roger Varian (11/1), Sir Michael Stoute and Wesley Ward (12/1), Mark Johnston (25/1), Charlie Appleby and William Haggas (33/1), Saeed bin Suroor and Dermot Weld (50/1)
