Sir Michael Stoute’s Royal Ascot and King George winner Poet’s Word is in fine fettle ahead of Juddmonte International next week
The five-year-old is hunting his third Group 1 of the summer at York
IT'S all systems go for Poet's Word as connections confirmed he is A-1 as the Juddmonte International edges ever closer.
The King George and Prince of Wales's Stakes winner will aim to follow in old stablemate Ulysses shoes who won the race last season for Sir Michael Stoute.
Poet's Word pleased in his latest gallop on Sunday and is firmly on course for the Group 1 at York on Wednesday week.
The five-year-old will step back in trip to an extended mile and a quarter on the Knavesmire, but connections are adamant that is not an issue.
Officially, the horse is rated the second best in the world - second only to Winx - and is in fine fettle for his next major assignment.
Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail, said: "Poet's Word worked very well on Sunday morning.
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"He worked on the all-weather, which he has done most of his work on.
"He just had a nice breeze and that was good. Michael was very happy with him and he is on schedule to run at York.
"A mile and a quarter, a mile and a half - it's the same for him."
Stoute won the Juddmonte International with Ulysses last season and also claimed the race with Notnowcato (2006), Singspiel (1997), Ezzoud (1993 and 1994) and Shardari (1986).
Stoute's horse leads the market at a general 2-1, with Coral Eclipse hero, Roaring Lion, second favourite at 3-1.
Enable reportedly had this race in her sights but connections are now eyeing up a return at Kempton instead.
Saxon Warrior is next in the market, with the best price of 11-2. John Gosden's Cracksman is next in line but connections have already indicated this is in the balance.