Royal Ascot 2019: Five dreadful rides that had you screaming at the TV

ROYAL ASCOT had some memorable moments in the saddle but it also had its fair share of shockers.

From Silvestre De Sousa to Jamie Spencer, we’ve looked at some of the worst rides to hit the Berkshire turf.

Jamie Spencer – Clon Coulis

You either love him or hate him, though I can guarantee those who backed Clon Coulis in the Royal Hunt Cup will be firmly in the latter camp.

Holding up David Barron’s 16-1 shot in rear, Spencer was at his most Spencer-like, finding trouble at every turn before getting to work on his mount when it was all too late.

There’s little doubt had he asked for maximum effort a moment earlier then the result would have been different.

Silvestre De Sousa – Fox Chairman

It’s very rare to see a mistake from Brazilian bullet Silvestre De Sousa, but he certainly didn’t cover himself in glory in the Hampton Court Stakes aboard Fox Chairman.

Backed into 7-2 favouritism, punters’ eyes were firmly fixed on the three-year-old as the rider attempted a daring run up the inner entering the home straight – only to find trouble at every turn.

Once in the clear, he flew between rivals to pick up second, but runaway winner Sangarius was already away and gone.

Ryan Moore – Fleeting

Favourite backers will have had their heads in their hands once again in the Ribblesdale, as Ryan Moore produced what must be one of his worst ever Ascot rides on Aidan O’Brien’s Fleeting (7-4f).

Reining his mount back from the get-go, he found himself adrift of the main field and gave Aidan O’Brien’s three-year-old acres of ground to make up rounding the bend.

Massive credit must go to the filly for powering up the home straight, but try as she might she was unable to reel in Frankie Dettori and Star Catcher.

James Doyle – Sinjaari

We’re massive fans of the Doyler here at Sun Racing, but even we had to admit his ride on Sinjaari was a bit of a strange one.

Sent off 4-1 for the King George V Stakes, Doyle had what can only be described as a brain-fade, taking his mount absurdly wide of the rest of the field – presumably in search of better ground.

Despite making eye-catching headway as they entered the home straight, the early exertions clearly told and he quickly ran out of puff. Not one of Doyler’s finest.

Adam Kirby – King Of Comedy

It was a bit of a surprise to see Adam Kirby jocked up on a John Gosden horse and Gosden may well be regretting it after his three-year-old came oh so close to winning the St James’s Palace.

Held up in last, he came with a withering run down the outside but was unable to quite reel in Circus Maximus.

There’s little doubt he was the best in the race and Kirby, who struggled to keep the horse in a straight line, would surely love to have the ride again.