Frankly Darling 7-2 for Investec Oaks after impressive Ribblesdale success

Frankly Darling gave trainer John Gosden his 50th success at Royal Ascot with a convincing victory in the Ribblesdale Stakes.

The daughter of Frankel made light of jumping up in class from a maiden to a Group Two on just her third start.

Frankie Dettori – 30 years on from his first Royal Ascot win on Markofdistinction in the Queen Anne Stakes – gave the well-backed 11-8 favourite a confident ride.

He had Frankly Darling beautifully placed behind the pace-setting Golden Lips before setting sail for home two furlongs from home.

She quickly put the race to bed and was in no danger thereafter, crossing the line a length and three-quarters to the good over the Aidan O’Brien-trained Ennistymon. O’Brien’s Passion was another two and a half lengths away in third place.

John Gosden's filly is now a best-priced 7-2 for the Investec Oaks at Epsom on July 4 with Bet365 and BetVictor.

Gosden said: "It's not an easy place to have winners - as you saw in the Queen Anne (runner-up with Terebellum).

"She's a lovely filly, she's still learning but she showed an awful lot of class today.

"I think if I have an Oaks filly, it's her."

Despite the Royal meeting this year being held behind closed doors, Dettori had no hesitation in performing his trademark flying dismount.

He said: "I think it was a six out of 10, to be honest! There's no crowd, but it's still a Royal Ascot winner, so I thought I might as well celebrate it in style.

"This filly has got some lungs, let me tell you - we were burning plenty of petrol during the first half of the race. She was over-racing a bit and I had to slow her down on the turn for home and she had every chance if she wanted to, but in fairness she picked up and galloped out really well.

"It's all systems go, I guess, for Epsom and the Oaks. If John and Mr (Anthony) Oppenheimer decide to go down that route, I'll be delighted.

"She's learnt a bit today and I'm very excited about her."

He added: "For the first race it was hard to pick myself up. I'm usually signing autographs with people slapping you on the back and shouting my name. Today I had to have two or three espressos just to get me going for the first race!

"In the second I had a good battle with Ryan (Moore), so I was well warmed up and it's nice to get one on the board, particularly for my boss John Gosden, who is an amazing trainer.

"The racing is magnificent. Of course we miss the crowd, but we're providing a good show for the people at home."