1pm BST update
Cracksman will not run in today's #KingGeorge VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by QIPCO), it has been confirmed.
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) July 28, 2018
#cracksman out of the King George at #Ascot due to good-to-firm ground - the same as it was when he was declared to run. Betting market in limbo until <3hrs before race. Any guesses how much the fine will be?
— Greg Wood (@Greg_Wood_) July 28, 2018
TV tips
Sir Michael Stoute can set a new trainer’s record by landing Ascot’s King George on Saturday for the sixth time, thanks to Poet’s Word (3.40), the unexpected star of this Flat season. Beaten in his first four Group Ones, he has blossomed in his last two outings, turning over Cracksman in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal meeting last month.
He has already proved he can stay the extra quarter-mile of this race but the turn of foot he has shown at 10 furlongs could stand him in excellent stead, assuming the ground remains fast. While there are front-runners in opposition, a really strong gallop from the outset does not seem likely, which makes him more appealing than his stablemate Crystal Ocean, a stouter stayer.
Cracksman has something to prove after failing to meet expectations in his last two runs, but Rostropovich has it in him to outrun his odds, provided he has escaped the bug afflicting others at Ballydoyle.
1.50 Ascot Angel’s Hideaway is an interesting contender, having got Frankie Dettori into trouble by hanging right and nearly putting two rivals over the rail last time. That was her first sign of waywardness on the track but apparently she is a handful at home and it would be no surprise to see her veering off a true line in the closing stages. The well bred Royal Intervention, who made all in a Listed race last month, is the one to be with.
2.05 York It might be worth forgiving a poor effort by Starlight Romance last time, which came just two weeks after her win over this course and distance. Tony Hamilton gets the leg-up on Richard Fahey’s filly for the first time since 2016.
2.25 Ascot Escalator looked ahead of the handicapper when scoring at Newmarket last month and the runner-up has won since. But he might be vulnerable here to the third from that race, Papa Stour, who is 10lb better off for two and a half lengths. Papa Stour is entitled to be sharper for that first run in almost five months, which was also his first since a wind operation, and he is an each-way price.
2.40 York Two from two for today’s useful claiming rider, Harome is worth sticking with after a four-length win here last time. This return to six furlongs is a possible source of concern but if he holds his recent form he must be involved.
3.00 Ascot How interesting to see the in-form David O’Meara apply cheekpieces here to Firmament, who ran his best race of the year when sixth in the Bunbury Cup a fortnight ago. The veteran has dropped 10lb since being beaten less than three lengths in this race last year and he has run a few good races up Ascot’s straight course, albeit without winning.
3.15 York This Group Two lacks strength in depth and the likely favourite, Elarqam, has plenty to prove after a seven-length defeat in the Irish Guineas. Smart Call has held her own in better company for most of her runs since joining Stoute from South Africa
Ascot 1.50 Royal Intervention 2.25 Papa Stour 3.00 Firmament (nap) 3.40 Poet's Word 4.15 Nate The Great 4.50 Ghayyar 5.20 Bajan Gold
Newcastle 1.10 Sirius Slew 1.40 Mizen Master 2.10 Belisa 2.45 Give It Some Teddy 3.20 Storm Ahead 3.55 Soldier's Minute 4.30 Adventureman 5.05 Little Jo
Chester 2.00 Gabrial The Wire 2.35 Forever A Lady 3.10 Batten The Hatches 3.45 Snow Wind 4.20 Lord Vetinari 4.55 Amazing Michele 5.25 Theglasgowwarrior
York 2.05 Starlight Romance 2.40 Harome 3.15 Smart Call 3.50 Baronial Pride 4.25 Stormin Tom 5.00 Morticia 5.35 Que Amoro
Newmarket 2.15 Golden Valour 2.50 Mootasadir 3.25 Victory Wave 4.00 Shaheen 4.35 Pirate King 5.10 War Whisper 5.40 Bedouin's Story (nb)
Salisbury 5.15 Warmhearted 5.45 Beleaugerment 6.15 Great Midge 6.45 Ambroise 7.15 Nicklaus 7.45 Midnight Meeting 8.15 Construct
Lingfield 5.30 Moonlight Silver 6.00 Trouble And Strife 6.30 Dalshand 7.00 Concierge 7.30 Rux Ruxx 8.00 Dixieland Diva 8.30 Flying Sakhee
