Stoute’s Word is true, come rain or shine
Uncertainty surrounds the final field for today’s King George Vi and Queen elizabeth Stakes, but connections of POET’S WORD (ascot, 3.40) won’t be stressing about the potential for thunderstorms.
While fans of coronation cup winner cracksman are praying for rain, Sir Michael Stoute launches a two-pronged attack on the mid- season feature, knowing that whatever the weather, his representatives are capable of answering the call.
Stablemates crystal Ocean and Poet’s Word boast similar profiles. Both had success at the royal meeting, crystal Ocean courtesy of a workmanlike Hardwicke Stakes victory which lacked sparkle but enforced the view he is capable of winning at the top level.
Poet’s Word was arguably more impressive in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, lowering the colours of cracksman with a tough and gritty display which failed to earn the plaudits it deserved. Many preferred to concentrate on cracksman’s deficiencies that day, offering the fast ground as the chief reason he was turned over.
that theory may well be vindicated if the ground eases markedly today, but i wasn’t enamoured by cracksman’s demeanour at the start last time as he looked a shade mulish and there were different excuses offered for his lacklustre victory at epsom when scrambling home from the well-ridden Salouen.
cracksman’s supporters will point to his seven-length demolition of Poet’s Word in a soft-ground Qipco champion Stakes here last autumn as a reason to maintain faith but recent efforts suggest he is well below the level of that form. in contrast, Poet’s Word appears to be going from strength to strength and is narrowly preferred to crystal Ocean given he may possess more gears, evidenced by his ability to quicken well over a mile and a quarter.
a sporting nap vote goes the way of the likeable FOOLAAD (york, 2.40) who could go well from a low berth in a competitive renewal of the SkyBet Dash.