Ascot tips: Sir Michael Stoute chases historic sixth King George VI win

Poet’s Word is fancied to give Sir Michael Stoute a record sixth success in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

Stoute first landed the summer showpiece in 1981 and while the trainer’s Newmarket stable may lack the strength it had when he was in his pomp, the 72-year-old still has few peers when it comes to developing middle-distance thoroughbreds. Poet’s Word was in danger of becoming a nearly horse but the five-year-old has looked at the peak of his powers this season, brushing aside Cracksman in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last month having previously landed the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown.

Both those contests were over a mile and a quarter but Poet’s Word has already shown himself to be fully effective over the extra quarter mile that the King George demands and, if anything, it promises to suit him even better.

There is the possibility of thunderstorms hitting the track but he has shown himself to be versatile ground-wise.

Stoute has a second ace up his sleeve in Crystal Ocean, who is unbeaten in three starts this term and long looked a likely type for this prize.

However, his overall form is a notch below that achieved by his stablemate and Ryan Moore, on board for all his wins this term, is required to ride Hydrangea, who has not been at her best this term, for his Coolmore employers.

All of the eight runners have either won or been placed in Group 1 company but the connections of Cracksman have said he will miss the race unless there is sufficient rain.

The son of Frankel was a majestic winner on QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot in October but would have something to prove after laboured displays on his past two starts.

Coronet, his stablemate, seems smart and yet tricky in equal measure, while Irish Derby runner-up Rostropovich needs more. Salouen is vulnerable but has more going for him than Desert Encounter.