3 minute read

Saturday sees the running of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes G1 over the classic 2400m trip.

There's a BIG question mark over the race and that concerns the running of Cracksman who will only start if the ground is a bit softer. There are thunderstorms forecast for Friday over the South West but they will have to land on Ascot.

Another thing is that Frankie Dettori his usual pilot is suspended and while Robert Havlin is a fine rider it may not be the same thing.

But despite all the "buts" we think Sir Michael Stoute has a great hand in this and he does have a number of wins in the race to back his choices. They are Poet's Word currently on 2/1 and Crystal Ocean 9/4. We are big fans of Poet's Word so despite the short price we will go with him as our No. 1.

We are thinking of Hydrangea as a roughie in the multiples. The Ballydoyle horses have been hit by a bug and Hydrangea is now their first choice as they say she is absolutely fine.

The program starts off with the G3 Princess Margaret for 2yo fillies over 1200m. 7 runners. Royal Intervention is 9/4, Angel's Hideaway 3/1 and our roughie Chapelli on 8/1. The hot weather has already resulted in one runner being scratched because she is in season so we would advise not putting the whole of the mortgage onto fillies at present.