FRANKIE DETTORI is leading the way for top jockey at Royal Ascot after clinching a seventh career Gold Cup as part of a magnificent quadruple.

On the third day in Berkshire, the Italian came home first in the opening four races to take his tally to six wins for the festival.

Aboard A'ali in the Norfolk Stakes, Dettori beat Musley Bank trainer Richard Fahey's offering Ventura Rebel by a head before making it two from two with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Sangarius in the Hampton Court Stakes.

He made it a hat-trick in the £120,000-rated Ribblesdale Stakes, riding Newmarket-based John Gosden's Star Catcher to victory ahead of the 7/4 favourite Fleeting.

And the 48-year-old's glorious fourth came in the day's £280,000 contest, piloting John Gosden's Stradivarius - as he did last year.

Mark Johnston's Dee Ex Bee came second in an incredibly tight finish.

Harry Bentley spoiled Dettori's winning run in the Brittania Stakes, riding Biometric to victory ahead of Turgenev, and Seamie Heffernan took the final race on the cards, the King George V Stakes.

Johnston had three entered in this final race, including Sir Ron Priestley under Andrea Atzeni, who won the contest for Johnston last year with Baghdad. This year, though, he finished 13th after making good running.

Summer Moon finished a place above in 12th for Johnston while Persian Moon came fourth for the Middleham-based trainer.

Dettori and the 7/2 favourite Questionare finished 14th.