POET CAN HAVE THE LAST WORD
THE King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes has the potential to be one of the races of the flat season this afternoon.
Crystal Ocean has been in brilliant form this season, winning all three of his races, and enters Group 1 company for just the second time having finished runner-up to Capri in the St Leger last year.
Cracksman hasn’t looked the machine he did last season and I think he is opposable today as a result.
Poet’s Word, who beat Cracksman here in June, is my pick on form.
He’s enjoying a fantastic campaign, having finished second in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March and winning a Group 3 at Sandown before seeing off Cracksman by two and a quarter lengths.
That victory was an incredible turnaround in form, having finished seven lengths behind John Gosden’s star over the same course and distance in October.
The ground was soft on that occasion and better ground, which looks likely again today, certainly suits Sir Michael Stoute’s runner more.
Ryan Moore has rode both Poet’s Word and Crystal Ocean to victory this season, but he partners Hydrangea for his employers Coolmore.
She has been nowhere near her best in two runs this season, but would have a big chance on last season’s form.
Elsewhere, at Ascot, Royal Intervention looked very good when winning at Newmarket on her second start and should go close in the Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes, while Ryan Moore could score on Aquarium for Mark Johnston in the
Porsche Handicap to make it three wins in a row.
Owner Tony Bloom has enjoyed some big race successes recently, with Stratum’s victory in the JLT Cup at Newbury following Withold’s success in the Northumberland Plate, and Flaming Spear could continue the winning run for him today.
He ran well in the Royal Hunt Cup on his first start for Dean Ivory at Royal Ascot, finishing first on the far side of the track and fifth overall.
Keep an eye for any money coming in for him in the Gigaset International Stakes as Bloom loves a punt on his fancied runners.
The Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes is another contest of note this afternoon and preference is for Smart Call for Sir Michael Stoute.
He got his first win for the English trainer since joining the stable from South Africa last month and should be thereabouts again here.