Matt Chapman gives his view on the legendary Sir Michael Stoute and talks through his fancies for the King George
Matt expects the improving Crystal Ocean to run a big race in the Ascot Group 1
STOUTEY, aka Sir Michael Stoute, is a funny so-and-so.
I never quite know what to expect with the Bajan wizard.
Often when I approach Stoute at the track he rapidly speeds up in the opposite direction!
Only the other day I parked up on Warren Hill in Newmarket and there was Stoute and his pal, cricket legend Michael Holding.
The moment I arrived Stoute started to move off, at which point I boomed: “It’s uncanny Sir Michael that when I appear, you leave!”
With a huge grin Stoute sped away and I could still hear the laughter from his car many seconds later. If you are thinking Stoute simply doesn’t like me, think again.
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I suspect many were surprised I formed a loving friendship with the late Sir Henry Cecil.
And when I worked on the Racing Post the news desk made it my job to call Martin Pipe “because he doesn’t speak to any of us”. Pipe and I became good pals (I believe!).
Some people you might not expect do get me.
With Stoute it’s all part of him. For all racing is a massively important business and he is one of the legends of the game, Stoute is good fun and enjoys a laugh.
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Yes, questions he probably feels are pointless may irritate the maestro from time to time, but essentially Stoute is best when joyous.
I fully expect a beaming Stoute after today’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. He’s double-handed with big guns Crystal Ocean and Poet’s Word.
The King George has lost its way from time to time, but it was back with a bang on primetime ITV in 2017 when Enable dominated.
She joined an illustrious list of King George heroes, including Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Brigadier Gerard, Dahlia, Grundy, The Minstrel, Shergar, Time Charter, Dancing Brave, Nashwan, Generous, Lammtarra, Montjeu, Galileo and Hurricane Run.
Considering the sweltering conditions — and resulting fast ground — it’s amazing we have a King George at all this afternoon.
So no surprise it’s impossible to flag it up as a vintage renewal.
With Cracksman reliant on thunderstorms it does look a simple match between the Stoute pair.
Both are typical Stoute older improvers, in the mould of Opera House, Pilsudski, Kalanisi, Singspiel, Ezzoud, Medicean, Ulysses, Harbinger and Notnowcato.
You could argue Crystal Ocean will stay further than today’s mile and a half, while Poet’s Word might be best at shorter.
Crystal Ocean has always been held in high regard, and burst on the scene with a Group 3 success in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood last season. He went on to chase home Capri in a fabulous St Leger.
This term he is unbeaten in three starts over ten furlongs and a mile and a half, taking the Gordon Richards at Sandown, a Group 3 at Newbury and then the Group 2 Hardwicke.
He can kick for home a long way out and set his rivals a task.
Game of two halves
IRISHMAN Charles Byrnes put the boot in when explaining why he has named a horse It’snotcominghome.
The trainer picked the name the day after the gallant England side were knocked out of the World Cup.
He told the Racing Post: “I found it all a bit pathetic reading the coverage. It’s nice to stick it to Matt Chapman and his cronies.”
Bit of an own-goal that, Charles. At least we made it to the World Cup...
Poet’s Word has only raced over further than a mile and a quarter three times in 15 starts. But his record is good over a mile and a half, including a victory in the Glorious Stakes at Goodwood.
However, the fact he could land the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, a Group 1, over a mile and a quarter at Ascot suggests that is his optimum distance. What is for sure is he’s at the top of his game.
If Cracksman takes his chance he could go off favourite, but on the basis he is not in the field I have to be with Crystal Ocean.
Coronet is good. She won the 2017 Ribblesdale for this column at odds of 9-1, but should not be good enough to land a King George, while Hydrangea is a Group 1 winner on Champions day (Coronet third) but has disappointed this term.
The best outsider might be Salouen, who came close to defeating Cracksman in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. He, though, may need rain as well.
Whatever you fancy it’s King George day. And that’s always classy and special.