STOUTE IS WORD PERFECT
SIR MICHAEL STOUTE’S golden summer is expected to continue when he saddles red-hot favourite Poet’s Word in tomorrow’s Juddmonte International at York.
Poet’s Word gave Stoute a record sixth victory in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last month.
Stoute, the most successful trainer in the Juddmonte with six winners, would become a serious player for the trainers’ championship if Poet’s Word lands the
£1million Group One prize. James Doyle, who partnered Poet’s Word to victory in both the King George and the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes, will again be in the saddle and he makes a convincing case for another success.
“He’s a worthy favourite coming off the back of successive Group One wins in tough races,” said Doyle. “He’s as tough a horse as I’ve ever ridden – he doesn’t shirk the issue.”
Poet’s Word heads the Coral betting at 7-4 with Roaring Lion
5-2, Saxon Warrior 5-1, Benbatl
10-1 and Without Parole 12-1. Doyle has no reservations about his mount dropping back in distance. “It shouldn’t affect him,” he said. “He’s a big, robust horse who is blossoming and he relaxes well and is push-button to ride.”
Jim Crowley has come in for the ride on Benbatl and will be hoping to repeat his success of 12 months ago, when he guided Ulysses to victory for Stoute.
Last year’s Ebor winner, Nakeeta, will try and win the handicap again on Saturday.
“He’s taken time to come to himself having been to Australia last winter when he was fifth in the Melbourne Cup,” said his trainer Iain Jardine.
“The handicapper has him 4lb higher than last year, but he knows his way around there and the ground should be nice.
“We’re ticking all the boxes, we just need a bit of luck.”
Nakeeta is a best-priced 16-1 behind 4-1 favourite Stratum and the big gamble of the race – Blakeney Point on 9-1.