Al lands Botti’s first royal win

SIR MICHAEL Stoute admitted surprise and delight after becoming the most successful trainer at Royal Ascot after Poet’s Word floored Cracksman in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.

Victory was expected to be a formality for Cracksman, sent off the 2-5 favourite, with Frankie Dettori in the saddle.

But after a furlong Cracksman was not a willing player as Dettori cajoled the colt to grab hold of his bridle and, after briefly leading two furlongs from home, he was swallowed up by Poet’s World.

Reflecting on the landmark occasion when toppling the late Sir Henry Cecil’s record of 75 winners at Royal Ascot, Stoute said: “Poet’s Word victory was a surprise, we came here hopeful ALJAZZI went one better than 12 months ago to give Marco Botti his first Royal Ascot winner in the Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

The five-year-old, racing in the colours of 2007 Derby winner Authorized, came with a decisive late run to give William Buick his second winner of the meeting.

Aljazzi, narrowly beaten at 40-1 by Qemah in 2017, relished the fast ground as she quickened clear to win by almost four lengths.

A beaming Botti said: “Last year she came here as an outsider and today she was a shorter price but she got the job done. I am so grateful to the owners for keeping her in training. William gave her a great ride and she showed a good turn of foot. “Having a Royal Ascot winner is what we think about when we get up in the morning and it’s great to finally have one.” Buick added: “The race worked out perfectly and this is a track where she excels. When I hit the halfway mark she really came alive.” The Group One Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting is likely to be Aljazzi’s next target.