Frankie the star turn in Poet's victory

There’s absolutely no doubt that Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot produced a memorable finish as Godolphin’s Poet’s Voice beat Rip Van Winkle by the minimum margin. But it was Frankie Dettori’s vintage ride on the winner, rather than the quality of the performance that will live longest in the memory of Irish racing pundits, writes Elliot Slater.

With Canford Cliffs absent from the line-up and French star Makfi running below-par and clearly ill at ease on the right-handed Ascot circuit, it’s not particularly hard to pull holes in the form, with the winner rated only 115 and the third placed Red Jazz, trained by Barry Hills, rated just 113 going into the race. The figures suggest that Aidan O’Brien’s Rip Van Winkle ran around 12lbs below form in being beaten a nose over a trip that is probably short of his best.

So, whilst the form can easily be taken apart, there is little doubt that Frankie Dettori, on a day when he rode four consecutive winners, produced one of the rides of the season on a horse that had it all to do on the form figures.

Anchored in last place of the eight-runner field, Poet’s Voice began his move after the home turn with Dettori following Johnny Murtagh on Rip van Winkle. As the Ballydoyle colt hit the front a furlong out, Dettori galvanised his mount, producing him late on to go a nose in front before keeping him going to resist the late rally of the runner-up. It was a masterclass in how to ride the perfect race on the big occasion.

Those looking at horse racing tips note how it’s been another distinctly patchy season for Godolphin, but as long as they hold on to ‘Frankie’ they’ll always have a chance on the world stage.