Bookmakers Claim Day Two Spoils

Despite 15-8 favourite Manduro justifying favouritism in the feature Prince Of Wales´s Stakes, some lumpy wagers sank on day two of Royal Ascot to leave the bookmakers smiling again.

Notably good results for the layers came in the Jersey Stakes, where 6-5 favourite US Ranger could only manage second despite a bet of £16,000 to £22,000 and plenty more of the four-figure variety.

There was also a plunge in the closing Sandringham Handicap on Italian Girl, who was as big as 12-1 in the morning, but followers of key newspaper tipsters and shrewd trainer Alan Jarvis saw her sent off the 100-30 favourite. She was only fourth.

'It was similar to Monday,' said William Hill representative Ben Clarke.

'The early couple of results weren´t fantastic. Manduro was very well backed, but at the same time so was Dylan Thomas, so it wasn´t too bad.

'The last two results at 20-1 and 16s were fantastic, although if you want be really picky, we´d rather Italian Girl was fifth rather than fourth but we´re a few quid in front going into day three.'

Although a bet of £40,000 to win £90,000 was recorded on Manduro, there was one of the same denomination placed on Dylan Thomas, echoing Clarke´s statement.

Coral´s David Stevens added: 'It went well. US Ranger getting beat was the big one for us as he was all the rage.

'Nannina in the Windsor Forest and Manduro were popular, although there was a good bit of money spread around.

'The Hunt Cup winner Royal Oath did not go unbacked but we finished the day with two great results. After two days, it is just about two-nil to the bookmakers.'

The Tote figure last year of £1,496,184 was down to £1,373,497 but the Wigan firm´s spokesman Damian Walker said it compared favourably considering the Wednesday crowd was much smaller this time.

'It was another good day,' Walker added. 'It was not as good as yesterday but still good. The Royal Hunt Cup in particular was a good result.'

(C) PA Sport