Sir Michael Stoute aiming both Crystal Ocean and Poet’s Word at King George in two-pronged assault

SIR MICHAEL STOUTE is to launch a dual assault on the King George with Royal Ascot winners Poet's Word and Crystal Ocean. 

The progressive pair will lock horns in the Group 1 on Saturday July 28.

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Both horses were impressive in their respective races at the Royal meeting, with Poet's Word conquering Cracksman in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and Crystal Ocean an emphatic winner of the Hardwicke.

The two improvers are currently first and second in the betting for the King George, and Stoute has a fierce stranglehold on a race that he has made his own.

The trainer is looking to break his own record by training his sixth winner, after past victories courtesy of the likes of Shergar and Harbinger.

Of his two contenders, he said: "They are both fine at the moment.

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"They are being trained for the King George and the plan is to go to Ascot with both horses."

Poet's Word can be backed at 2-1 for the Group 1, with Crystal Ocean next best at 6-1.

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Other possible contenders include Derby winner Masar, Cracksman, who's looking to settle a score, and French Group 1 winner Waldgeist.