Bookmakers were left reeling after a string of well-backed horses put punters in the driving seat on the opening day of Royal Ascot.It was one long tale of woe in the first four races after backers got off to a flier thanks to French superstar Goldikova, who justified favouritism in the Queen Anne Stakes.
Equiano then landed a major gamble in the King's Stand Stakes before a Richard Hannon double through Canford Cliffs in the St James's Palace and Strong Suit in the Coventry left the bookmakers on the ropes.
Ghimaar's defeat in the Ascot Stakes won by Junior offered little respite, while the concluding Windsor Castle Stakes was little better as even though the gambled-on Metropolitan Man was turned over, the race was won by the well-backed Marine Commando.
"Goldikova, Canford Cliffs and Strong Suit all combined to hand punters a cracking start to the Royal meeting," said David Williams of Ladbrokes.
"Even Equiano was backed off the boards and after four races we were ready to pack up and walk home. It's been the best opening day for punters for decades. Our only consolation is we've got four days to claw it back."
William Hill had to admit that too many fancied horses were successful.
"Too many good things won to satisfy a bookmaker. We're on the ropes after day one, but decades of experience tell us this is a long five-round battle," said spokesman David Hood.
Irish layers told a similar story, with Paddy Power remarking: "Punters knew full well that this was a brilliant opening day's card, but they probably couldn't have done any better if they had tomorrow's newspaper in front of them.
"The books just about got their heads out of the water when Equiano won the King's Stand, but Richard Hughes well and truly stamped on them when he got Strong Suit up on the line in the Coventry. A great, great start for punters."
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