Royal Ascot 2020: Top Jockey

It was Frankie Dettori who came away with the leading jockey award at the 2019 Royal Ascot meeting, recording a total of seven wins throughout the week. Dettori memorably won the first four races on the Thursday, striking fear into the bookmakers. That was the sixth time Dettori was crowned leading rider at Royal Ascot, and he has been installed as favourite – as short as 6/5-on in places – by the majority of bookmakers to come out on top again this year.

Ryan Moore is the only other jockey riding at Royal Ascot this year to have previously won the leading jockey award - he won his eighth title in 2018. Moore has the backing of two powerful stables in Aidan O’Brien and Sir Michael Stoute – he will also pick up plenty of spare rides – so it isn’t surprising that he is also short in the betting, with some bookmakers unable to split him and Dettori.

The pair will go head to head in the Queen Anne Stakes on Tuesday where both jockeys have good chances. Moore will ride the 2019 St James’s Palace Stakes winner Circus Maximus, who is currently favourite, while Dettori rides Terebellum, who is second in the market.

However, Moore’s best chance on day one will be Mogul in the King Edward VII Stakes. A 3.4 million guineas purchase as a yearling, Mogul won twice last season, including at Group 2 level, before going on to finish fourth to subsequent 2000 Guineas winner Kameko in the Futurity Trophy on his final start. Mogul is very much bred to be suited by middle distances this year and looks one of the bankers on Tuesday.

The good chances for Dettori and Moore keep coming during the week with Stradivarius the banker in Thursday's Gold Cup for Dettori, while Moore will be hoping Japan, a dual Group 1 winner last season, can make a winning return in Wednesday's Prince of Wales's Stakes.

Oisin Murphy and William Buick are the next two in the betting. Both are retained riders to powerful connections and will have plenty of chances over the five-day meeting. Notable chances for Buick include Barney Roy in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and Pinatubo in the St James's Palace, while Oisin Murphy will have a strong book of rides in the handicaps, including Bell Rock, who overcame a positional bias to win last time and looks a contender in the Hunt Cup.

At double-figure prices, both Andrea Atzeni and Jim Crowley represent some value. Both will also be well supported throughout the week by their respected retainers, with recent 2000 Guineas fifth Juan Elcano having solid claims in the Hampton Court Stakes on Wednesday for the former. A big, useful-looking colt Juan Elcano is held in high regard by trainer Kevin Ryan, who is also looking forward to stepping him up in trip. He is 12 lb clear of his nearest rival Russian Emperor on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, and is an interesting runner in what looks a good renewal of the race. Other good rides Atzeni can look forward to on horses owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid include Pierre Lapin in the Commonwealth Cup, Fujaira Prince in the Copper Horse Handicap and Finest Sound in the Britannia. 

For all Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore clearly hold leading claims of once again winning the top jockey title, they are priced accordingly, and it is Andrea Atzeni who makes more appeal at around the 25/1 mark. Atzeni will have a nice array of rides during the week and probably shouldn’t be so big in the betting

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Back Andrea Atzeni at 25/1 to be Top Jockey at Royal Ascot 2020