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Little-known trainer’s Royal Ascot horse utterly ‘smashed’ in betting

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Little-known trainer’s Royal Ascot horse utterly ‘smashed’ in betting

A LITTLE-KNOWN trainer’s superstar horse has been absolutely ‘smashed’ in the betting for Royal Ascot.

Bookies William Hill have been forced to slash the price of two-year-old colt Francisco’s Piece from 25-1 to 8-1.

Adrian Keatley, left, is being backed to land a winner on the biggest stage of allCredit: Sportsfile – Subscription

Adrian Keatley’s Listed winner is being heavily backed for the Group 2 Coventry Stakes on Tuesday, day one of the five-day meeting.

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Francisco’s Piece has won two of his three races – finishing runner-up in the other – and was last seen claiming a Listed contest at Chantilly earlier this month.

Sent off 23-10 under retained Wathnan rider James Doyle, Francisco’s Piece drew clear of rivals and scooted home in the 5f contest on heavy.

Speaking afterwards, Malton-based handler Keatley gave the impression he wasn’t 100 per cent sold on going to Ascot.

He said: “Francisco’s Piece is a good horse and this is a massive step forward. We’re delighted to get that win under his belt.

“He’s going to improve loads as he’s still a little bit behind in his coat and is still a little bit underdeveloped.

“He could come back for the Prix Robert Papin. Everybody want’s to go to Royal Ascot, but I don’t mind if this fella stays at home in his box.

“Everything is still on the table.”

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But it looks now like it’s all systems go for the big juvenile contest.

William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “We’re now only days out from Royal Ascot and our traders are starting to pick up some eye-catching market movers.

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“Francisco’s Piece has been the subject of huge support for the Coventry, backed all the way into 8-1 from 25-1 in recent days.

“That looks to be hotting up into a cracking betting heat, with Aidan O’Brien’s Camille Pissarro and son Joseph’s Cowardofthecounty both leading the way at 5-1 joint-favourites.”

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