FRANKIE DETTORI kicked off his final day at Ascot with a 999-1 in-running winner but defeat in the second spared bookies a £10MILLION payout.
Trawlerman hit the maximum mark of 1000 (999-1) during the closing stages of the opening Long Distance Cup on Champions Day.
But Dettori showed expert timing and horsemanship to eek a bit more out of his horse to see off 11-10 fav Kyprios.
It meant Dettori won his first of five races on the day – although went down agonisingly in the next on hot fav Kinross.
The Marc Chan-owned horse hit the lowest price on the Betfair Exchange of 1.01 as he went to the front with £2,500 staked on him.
But gallant 40-1 grey Art Power fought back to nut him on the line.
It meant bookies breathed a huge sigh of relief as they were spared a payout in the millions.
They had feared being done for over £10million if Dettori’s five rides had landed.
The Italian nearly sent half of them bust with his legendary Magnificent Seven back in 1996.
He still has three remaining rides on the day.
Free Wind is a strong change in the Fillies and Mares race at 2.25, 2000 Guineas hero Chaldean might like the soft ground in the 3.05 while King Of Steel is second-fav for the Champion Stakes at 3.45.
Before racing, Dettori, 52, was joined by Queen Camilla as a statue at the racecourse was unveiled in his honour.
Her Royal Majesty was dressed in an emerald green dress coat and matching hat as she arrived at the track.
In honour of the occasion the Queen Consort, who attended the event alone, was pictured wearing a small diamante horse brooch.
The brooch pays a touching tribute to her late mother-in-law as it was gifted to her in 2016 on her 90th birthday.
More to follow.