Review of the action from day two of Royal Ascot

Poet's Word downs sluggish Cracksman

Poet's Word created history in the Prince of Wales's Stakes to give Sir Michael Stoute a record-breaking 76th Royal Ascot victory and lower the colours of Cracksman in the process.

In the Champion Stakes last October, Cracksman had beaten Poet's Word by seven lengths and was expected to face a tough task in turning the tables.

While Cracksman had been lethargic when winning the Coronation Cup last time out, trainer John Gosden believed he had excuses.

But he was even more off his A-game this time and Frankie Dettori was working away on the long odds-on favourite soon after leaving the stalls.

To his credit, Cracksman hit the front in the straight, but he had no answer when James Doyle went sweeping past him.

Sent off at 11/2, Poet's Word shot clear, leaving Cracksman's connections scratching their heads.

Stoute added: "Maybe Cracksman isn't at his best now, but we beat the others comprehensively. He's a very consistent, brave horse."

Doyle said: "I was travelling all over him (Cracksman), it was just a case of hanging on."

Gosden offered no excuses for Cracksman, saying: "I didn't feel he was particularly helping the jockey at any stage. It was slightly noticeable at Epsom going up the hill. I make no excuses whatsoever.

"The other horse on the day had him covered from two out. To my mind he is just playing around a bit. He did it at Epsom, but he didn't do it first time out at Longchamp.

"At no stage was he travelling or carrying Frankie (Dettori). We will get him home and sharpen him up a little bit. We will look into it before the King George, as that is how to play the game. The ability is there, but I didn't feel he was generous with it today."

Dettori said: "He's not the same animal I've been riding in the spring."

Expanding on his achievement, Stoute, who saddled his first Royal winner in 1977, said: "It means a lot - and to the whole stable, as well. Henry's record was formidable because their were only four days of Royal Ascot in most of his career.

"We're very glad it's happened and it's a great reflection of the staff."

He added: "I'm grateful for anything, last year we had about 16 runners and five beaten favourites. It's nice it happened then, but I'm just happy for it to happen."

Of the winner, Stoute said: "I'm delighted for him. He's been in at the deep end in Group Ones and performing very creditably. It was nice to see him win one.

"When they were 150 yards into the straight, I thought he would win from there."

Bay of plenty for Value Bet backers

Settle For Bay - tipped by our flagship racing man Ben Linfoot at 18/1 - scorched clear to give David Marnane a famous victory in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.

A four-time winner on the all-weather at Dundalk in the winter, the 16/1 chance made a pleasing comeback when fourth at Leopardstown in May.

Another Irish runner, Saltonstall, cruised to the front on the far side of the track and looked sure to play a part in the finish before fading out of the places.

Towards the centre of the track having raced with near side group, Settle For Bay quickened impressively under Billy Lee and provided Marnane with a second Royal winner after Dandy Boy's success in the 2012 Wokingham.

Afaak stayed on well to take second for Charlie Hills, with 100-1 shot Circus Couture third and What's The Story fourth at 33/1.

Marnane said: "We knew three-quarters of the way through last year he was this sort of class, as he progressed all along. It is one thing to have it, but another to get him here. He broke his pelvis last year, so he has done remarkably well to do what he has done.

"Thankfully the vets did a great job. They are not here today, but they would have been watching. It's a tough game in our country, but we've won a Wokingham and a Hunt Cup.

"We will keep our feet on the ground and see where we go. I'd like to come back here on King George day for the valuable handicap, but we will have to see what the handicapper does."

Lee said: "This horse was just cruising. I got there half a furlong too soon, but he was going so well. David Marnane always had a lot of faith in him, so I was delighted to get the call. He looked like a horse that could step up to Listed and Group class and he showed there that he can."

Royal first for Botti

William Buick gave Aljazzi a beautiful ride as the filly provided her trainer Marco Botti with a first Royal Ascot winner.

Sent off a 9/2 chance in the Group Two Duke Of Cambridge Stakes, the five-year-old was fresh following a break of 54 days after her third on much softer ground at Sandown in April.

She relished the return to a fast surface and flew home towards the stands' side rail to score by three-and-three-quarter lengths from Tribute Act (10/1), with Wilamina back in third at 11/2.

The winner was going one better than when second at 40/1 to the French-trained Qemah in the same event 12 months ago.

The disappointment of the race was the penalised Hydrangea, who raced up with the pace but weakened out of the picture at the business end of proceedings.

Botti told ITV Racing: "We've been so close so many times and I'm delighted the owner kept her in training. William gave her a great ride and she showed a smart turn of foot. This is what we wake up in the morning and hope for, it's what everyone wants."

Clean-sweep for Ballydoyle

Kew Gardens led home a one-two-three for trainer Aidan O'Brien in the Queen's Vase.

The master of Ballydoyle was winning the race for a sixth time and his Nelson set out to make all and still led the field turning for home.

However Ryan Moore, aboard the 3/1 winner, had him covered and after going to the front approaching the furlong marker, soon put the race to bed.

Ninth behind Masar in the Investec Derby on his last start, the son of Galileo was four-and-a-half lengths clear of staying-on stablemate Southern France (9/2) at the line with Nelson (9/2) holding on well in third.

Sky Bet cut the winner to 6/1 from 33/1 for the William Hill St Leger, Racing PR Manager Michael Shinners said: "That was very impressive. Aidan O'Brien traditionally has a strong hand for the Doncaster Classic and Kew Gardens already looks a big player this time around."

Michael Tabor, co-owner of the winner, said: "We've always thought he's a nice horse, really made for this race. Obviously he needs a trip, so the St Leger, why not?"

O'Brien said: "We always thought he'd stay. He loves fast ground. He was a little bit disappointing in Epsom, but we've been very happy since then. He can do a lot of things. He can go back to the Irish Derby. He can have a little break and be trained for the Leger. He's a lot of options. The Leger is a long way away, but in the autumn that would be a lovely race for him."

Cabello lands Mary thriller

Signora Cabello (25/1) came out on top after a thrilling three-way battle for the Queen Mary Stakes.

John Quinn's charge showed tremendous resolution under a strong Oisin Murphy drive to fend off Gossamer Wings (25/1) and Shades Of Blue (5/1) after the trio locked horns throughout the final furlong. The winning distance was a short-head and the same.

Owners Phoenix Thoroughbred bought into the winner following her victory in the Marygate Stakes at York last time and gained an instant return on their investment.

Disappointment of the race was Wesley Ward's Chelsea Cloisters, who brought a tall reputation over with her from America but never threatened to land a blow.

Quinn said: "All she did, really, was improve. She was well on top at the line (at York) and since then she's trained lovely. She's very unassuming. She's terribly, terribly tough. I'm really pleased."

Stoute seals day with Expert winner

Sir Michael Stoute put the seal on a memorable afternoon when Expert Eye stormed home in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Suitably inspired by becoming the winning-most trainer in Royal Ascot history when Poet's World claimed the Prince of Wales's Stakes, the master of Freemason Lodge later took his tally to 77 victories at the fiesta of Flat racing.

Could It Be Love looked to have done enough from the front, but Expert Eye (8/1) had all bases covered and spreadeagled a strong field in the hands of James McDonald.

Society Power ended up finishing second, with Could It Be Love third.

McDonald, who was claiming a first Royal Ascot success, said: "He felt like a rocket ship out there.

"Credit to the horse, credit to Sir Michael - he's a true legend."

Stoute said: "He was such a good two-year-old and then things went wrong in the Dewhurst.

"I'm just so thrilled to see him back to this sort of form.

"There has been a lot of work put into this horse by James Savage, my head man.

"I've not seen convincing home-work (from Expert Eye) that he did last year - but it doesn't matter now."

Related Royal Ascot links

• Full schedule and guide
• Sky Bet's Royal Ascot odds
• Royal Ascot podcast
• Royal Ascot: Super sires
• Richard Fahey: My Ascot team
• Royal Ascot banker bets
• Five clashes to savour