Frankie Dettori steered A’Ali to a narrow victory in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, the opening race on Thursday. It would prove to be the first of four consecutive winners ridden by Dettori.

Despite having to make do with the runner-up spot on his racecourse debut at Ripon a fortnight ago, plenty was expected of Simon Crisford’s juvenile in this five-furlong Group 2 as he was towards the head of the market at 5/1.

The well-backed 13/8 favourite Sunday Sovereign moved smoothly to the front racing inside the final two furlongs, but his effort petered out once push came to shove and A’Ali quickly powered into a clear advantage.

After meeting traffic problems, Ventura Rebel was really finding his stride late in the day, but was a neck down at the line.

Dubai Station was best of the rest in third, with Sunday Sovereign ultimately disappointing in eighth.

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