A LUCKY punter who won £2million twice at Royal Ascot has some expert advice on how to follow in his footsteps – here’s what to do.
Richard Brocklebank, scooped one life-changing windfall on the opening Tuesday, in 2016, and another the following day.
PAJockey Frankie Dettori performed a flying dismount from Prosperous Voyage after winning The Princess Elizabeth Stakes during Derby Day of the 2023[/caption]
Now, the co-author of ‘£3 Million In 3 Weeks – The Squirrel Syndicate – A Gambler’s Tale’, thinks that following Frankie Dettori is a good way to find winners at the Berkshire track.
The Italian jockey, 52, is well-known for riding a staggering seven winners on an Ascot card in September 1996.
Richard explained: “Frankie kindly did the foreword for our book and we chose him as the world’s greatest jockey – this season is his last, so you have to follow him at Royal Ascot.
“Frankie rides Ascot like it’s his home course, he has a massive edge knowing every blade of grass on the track.
“It’s no coincidence that he’s ridden so many winners there, including 55 at the Royal meeting since 2000.”
The successful author also told stories of previous winners who landed eye-watering jackpots after betting on Frankie.
These included Darren Yates who bagged £500,000 from William Hill and Pete Saxton who took home £250,000 off Coral.
“In 2019, Darren was on course for another bumper payout having landed serious six figures when Frankie rode the first four winners on the day at Royal Ascot”, added Richard.
“That multiple and many others led to some bookmakers refusing to take accumulators on Frankie selections restricting the number that could be permed together.”
This year, the superb jockey is presenting a new restaurant called Numero 7, with chef Francesco Mazzei.
Located in the Royal Enclosure, Richard guessed there could be champagne poured after Frankie’s race.
“What a better way to celebrate a Dettori winner than in his own eatery”, added the Ascot winner.
“And a flying dismount from Frankie in the Royal Enclosure this week will be an odds-on favourite with all racing fans.”
‘GOLDEN RULE’
The 57-year-old, from Cheshire, shared his top tips for those chancing their luck at this year’s event.
“For those punting at Royal Ascot, which starts this coming Tuesday, my golden rule is get the value.
“So that possibly contradicts the follow Frankie advice, as some of his mounts can be massively over backed, though this then does give us great value each way in those races.
“Monitoring the markets in the races with Frankie featured will be invaluable.
“Back in the day, advance ante-post flutters were a fabulous way of banking value, but these days the ante-post edge isn’t there at all for the man in the street.
“I’d say now the best value is available on the race day itself, with bookmakers of all kinds offering extra places in lots of races and they also very often push the odds out a bit.”
He explained that sometimes special offers are so tempting that you can each way bet to nothing.
And, the ante-post punt can be overtaken by events in which horses are declared non-runners after injuries on the track.
Richard’s also puts faith in taking a chance on a longshot every now and again.
“Royal Ascot is full of fantastic stories – it is first rate racing with runners jetting in from as far away as America and Australia”, added the winner.
“With the UK, French and Irish contingents – they really are the crème de la crème.”
His new book ‘£3 million in 3 Weeks’ will see a donation from every signed copy going to a children’s cancer charity.
The title of the book refers to the miraculous wins Richard scooped in 2007.
That year the Squirrel Syndicate was formed and they took home a record-breaking £1.5 million on the Scoop6 in, then £424,000 the week after and finally a £1.1 million on the first Saturday in November.
PAInspiral ridden by Frankie Dettori this month[/caption] Read More