Today sees one of the big races of the summer, with the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes taking centre stage at Ascot at 15.40.
Sir Michael Stoute is a name synonymous with the mid-season event and he has two great chances of landing a historic sixth win with Poet’s Word and Crystal Ocean. His task will be made all the easier should the Berkshire venue not receive much rain, as Cracksman will not be taking up the engagement unless the ground softens considerably.
Of his two charges, we marginally prefer Poet’s Word, who saw off Cracksman at Royal Ascot on his last start, though it’s very hard to separate the pair, as is reflected by the movement of their prices, with 9/4 for both our current position on them.
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 20: Horses run in The Royal Hunt cup on day 2 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 20, 2018 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse)
Should Cracksman run, he’ll be available at around 11/4 with us.
On the undercard, we think Royal Intervention in the 13.50 Princess Margaret Keeneland Stakes is well worth taking. We have her at 7/4 currently.
Two big-field events follow, and it’s worth noting that we’re offering extra places in both.
You could do worse than backing George Of Hearts in the 14.25 Porsche Handicap as he didn’t have the clearest of runs over course and distance at the Royal meeting last month. He ran on well that day and is 4/1 at the moment.
The 15.00 Gigaset International Stakes is an even trickier puzzle to solve, with Flaming Spear the shortest price at 9/1.
Two against the field that we like are Il Primo Sole at 10/1 and, at a massive price, Charles Molson at 33s.
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*All odds correct at time of posting