Buick excited about 'plum' Crystal ride in King George but Poet's now favourite

Sir Michael Stoute will deploy Godolphin's two star jockeys in his bid to win a record sixth King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but bookmakers and punters are increasingly uncertain William Buick has the better chance of glory, with James Doyle's mount Poet's Word on Monday usurping Crystal Ocean for favouritism in places.

A year that has already been wonderful for Masar's Derby-winning rider has the potential to get even better on Saturday after Stoute chose Buick to replace Ryan Moore aboard Crystal Ocean in a prize the legendary trainer won for the first of five times with Shergar 37 years ago.

Since storming to victory over the King George course and distance in last month's Hardwicke Stakes, Crystal Ocean has been clear market leader for Britain's most prestigious all-aged Flat race.

However, doubts have now emerged about which of the Stoute royal meeting champions will start favourite.

Ladbrokes have Crystal Ocean at 11-8 and offer 5-2 about Poet's Word, but Betfair Sportsbook and Paddy Power on Monday cut the Prince of Wales's Stakes winner into 15-8 and 7-4 respectively. Both firms have Crystal Ocean at 2-1 having previously been 13-8 and 6-4.

One of the two stablemates seems sure to head the market for the Qipco-sponsored spectacular, whose next shortest-priced runner is 6-1 shot Kew Gardens. The contest's leading three-year-old ensured Moore would not be available for Crystal Ocean when landing the Grand Prix de Paris two Saturdays ago.

William Buick's 2018 Group 1 winners
Hawkbill Dubai Sheema Classic
Pakistan Star QEII Cup
Masar Derby
Blue Point King's Stand Stakes

Buick has become the beneficiary as he seeks to maintain a spectacular year, during which his four Group 1 victories have earned connections more than £5 million.

"He certainly is a fantastic spare ride to pick up," said Buick.

King George card and betting

"The King George is one of those great races you want to be in and Crystal Ocean is a lovely horse to be riding. He's very progressive, has a lovely profile and looks a proper mile and a half horse. He really is a plum ride.

"They are two very good horses and I'm sure they won't be too far apart come the finish. Hopefully I'll be the one on top!"

Doyle, who dazzled with a sublime display aboard Sea Of Class in Saturday's Irish Oaks, is looking forward to continuing his association with Poet's Word, who will be moving back up in trip from a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half.

Doyle said: "It's nice to keep the ride on Poet's Word and it's going to be interesting with Will on the other fellow. I'm sure we'll both be speaking with Sir Michael and come up with a plan.

"I was second to Crystal Ocean in the Hardwicke, so I know what he's capable of, for sure. He's a resolute galloper and he stays very well, so he's bound to be a big danger. Even so, I wouldn't swap my fellow.

"I think Poet's Word is very versatile when it comes to the trip. He finished second in the Sheema Classic over a mile and a half earlier this year and is very relaxed, so I don't think the extra couple of furlongs will bother him at all. He is a proper Group 1 horse who happens to be very versatile."

Kew Gardens is one of five possible runners for Aidan O'Brien, but among those highly unlikely to appear is Cracksman, who would need rain to ease conditions from the good to firm posted on Monday.

His trainer John Gosden should still be represented courtesy of Coronet, while Andre Fabre could chase his second King George success with Waldgeist.

Explaining the upheaval at the top of the betting, bet365's Pat Cooney – whose firm make Crystal Ocean and Poet's Word 2-1 joint-favourites – said on Monday: "After Royal Ascot Crystal Ocean looked the obvious one but this has gone from being a race that looked like falling apart to being much more open than we anticipated. Poet's Word is the hotter horse at the moment."

Conduit led home a one-two-three for Sir Michael Stoute in the 2009 King GeorgeCredit: Edward Whitaker

Stoute also had the first and second favourites in 2009, when he saddled the first three home, 13-8 favourite Conduit defeating Tartan Bearer (7-2) and Ask (9-1).

Godolphin are without a runner after Saeed Bin Suroor scratched Princess of Wales's Stakes winner Best Solution, who will instead run in Germany next month en route to a possible tilt at the Lexus Melbourne Cup.

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