Jordan Yates' King George Preview
The King George takes centre stage this weekend over at Ascot a prestigious Group 1 event that's ridden over a distance of a mile and three furlongs and it's seen some great champions claim it's prize over the years.
Perhaps not a classic of renewals this year however there's still some real top class performers battling it out at the top of the market for favourtism and these include the Sir Michael Stoute pair of Crystal Ocean and Poet's Word and the surprise entry of John Gosden's Cracksman.
Starting off with the Stoute duo Crystal Ocean comes here in the form of his life winning four of his last five starts which culminated in a dominant display here in the Hardwicke Stakes the last day when comfortably putting daylight between him and his rivals for an impressive success. He's the mount of William Buick here and can be found trading at a general 5/2 mark.
The other Stoute runner Poet's Word has been possibly the most backed of the last day or so and has now just edged ahead at the top of the market, he was last seen when lowering the colours of Cracksman here in the Prince Of Wales Stakes in what was by all accounts an impressive display. He's somewhat of a late bloomer in his career but he's certainly hitting top gear now and looks a solid Group 1 perfomer. Another big showing is likely here and you can find him trading at around the 9/4 mark. He's the mount of the in form James Doyle and will be a popular selection with punters.
Onto the most surprising of the declarations and that's of course Cracksman for the John Gosden yard who's participation here looks to rely solely on the chance of their being rain on its way. The season hasn't gone quite to plan for this Frankel offspring. He looked to have the world at his feet when bolting up on his reappearance in Group 1 company in France but since then it's been below par, scrambling home at Epsom before being never travelling here the last day and being firmly put in his place by Poet's Word. I still think there's some doubt on his participation here but if he does show up and he's anywhere near his best he's sure to play a big part. With usual partner Frankie Dettori serving a ban, Robert Havlin looks to take the ride and the Gosden charge is currently trading around the 5/2 mark.
The Ballydoyle representatives here come in the form of Irish Derby second Rostropovich and Hydrangea who was last seen when disappointing favourite in the Duke Of Cambridge when finishing down the field here in the Duke Of Cambridge. She trades at around 12/1 and is the mount of Ryan Moore and her stablemate Rostropovich is around the 25/1 mark respectively. John Gosden is also represented by Coronet here who comes here in good form herself just being edged out the last day in Group 1 company over in France. Olivier Peslier takes the ride on her and he knows the horse well.
VERDICT: If the rain comes I think Cracksman is a serious player, however i'm going to take a chance on one at a big price against the big three and that comes in the form of CORONET. I think she's been progressing with every run and I certainly think she has what it takes to mix it in this company. She could well outrun her odds.
CORONET - (12/1) (E/W)
