Doyle Expects Poet's Word to Again Run True

Jockey James Doyle believes surging Poet's Word deserves his place as the 7-4 market leader in the Aug. 22 Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) at York, a race that forms part of the middle distance category of the QIPCO British Champions Series and serves as a Breeders' Cup Challenge "Win & You're In" event to the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1).

When he starts in the 1 5/16-mile Juddmonte International, Doyle sees no reason why Poet's Word can't extend his three-race win streak, which includes back-to-back group 1 scores at Ascot in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July and the Prince Of Wales's Stakes in June.

"He's a worthy favorite coming off the back of successive group 1 wins in tough races and, as you can imagine, I'm excited about riding him in the top race of the week," Doyle said. "He's as tough a horse as I've ever ridden—he doesn't shirk the issue. He really put his head and neck down in the King George and stretched all the way to the line. He was very brave."

Regarding the impact of the hard-fought Ascot success on the 5-year-old son of Poet's Voice, Doyle said: "It shouldn't affect him. I don't think he lost much weight, from what I'm hearing, and all the vibes from the stable are very positive. He's a big, robust horse who is blossoming. He's a different class to ride—he relaxes well and is push-button. He does whatever you ask."

On the drop back in trip off the 1 1/2-mile King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the jockey added: "He's versatile and showed a good kick in the Prince Of Wales's. He's got plenty of other good form over a mile-and-quarter, too, such as when beaten a neck in the QIPCO Irish Champion Stakes (G1)."

One of the stars of the Ebor meeting will be missing after Cracksman was not declared. Cracksman's owner Anthony Oppenheimer warned this month the John Gosden-trained, three-time group 1 winner would need cut in the ground to line up and the rain has not materialized. The ground at York was described as good to firm, and good in places Monday morning.

Still a high quality field of eight is set to battle it out in the £1 million ($1.28 million) contest and Gosden still holds a strong hand with Roaring Lion, a Kentucky-bred 3-year-old son of Kitten's Joy  who enters off his first group 1 win in the Coral Eclipse Stakes; and Without Parole, the mount of Frankie Dettori. 

Also taking on older rivals will be this year's QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) winner Saxon Warrior, who was just a neck behind Roaring Lion in the Coral Eclipse. He will be joined by the Godolphin pair Benbatl and Thunder Snow, who returns to turf in his first start since winning the March 31 Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emriates Airline (G1), while Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) winner Latrobe and Thundering Blue, who was added to the race at a cost of £75,000, complete the field.