Poet's Word proves too strong in the Matchbook Brigadier Gerard Stakes

Ryan Moore positioned himself on the heels of leader Laraaib from the start, and as the runners came up the centre of the track, the Group Three event quickly became something of a match, despite Desert Encounter flattering briefly.

Responding well to his rider's urgings, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained five-year-old took an advantage around a furlong and a half out and the 4-6 favourite extended it through the closing stages, with two and a quarter lengths being the winning margin.

The Saeed Suhail-owned victor had last been seen finishing second in the Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan and was giving Stoute a 10th win in the race and Moore a fifth.

Stoute's assistant, James Horton, said: "We are very happy. It was nice to get his head in front, he has run some big races in defeat the last five or six races and every time he has just bumped into one.

"It was lovely to get his head in front and hopefully we can go forward from here."

He added: "I wouldn't say this was always the plan. With a horse like him there are lots of options, as he is very versatile and goes on most ground. It was just finding the opportunity with the right track, right ground and right opposition.

"The aim of today was to get his head in front and have a good time, which I think he has.

"I don't think either trip (10 or 12 furlongs) makes any difference to him. He has got a high cruising speed and a turn of foot and he stays very well.

"He is just a lovely horse to have. You can run him over a mile and a quarter and make use of him, or run him over a mile and a half and use that turn of foot."

Sky Bet make Poet's Word a 7/1 chance for the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Without Parole toughs it out in the Heron Stakes

Without Parole made his class count in the Matchbook Is Commision Free Heron Stakes at Sandown to complete a hat-trick of wins and book his ticket to Royal Ascot.

Having been forced to miss the 2000 Guineas with a foot issue, the John Gosden-trained Frankel colt backed up his impressive success at Yarmouth with a workmanlike display in the Listed prize, setting up a tilt at the St James's Palace Stakes.

Despite the ground being softer than ideal, the 4-6 favourite, who took time to get into top gear, proved three-quarters of a length too strong for runner up Gabr.

Gosden said: "It was quite a slog up that hill and I was nervous about running him, as I had missed a couple of bits of work after the foot abscess.

"I missed a lot of time with him and he needed it a little bit. The ground was very testing and it was dead old ground.

"He is a likeable horse and good to firm ground is his scene. That was a little bit demanding for him and Frankie committed early, but his class got him through.

"It wasn't his ideal conditions and he came there slightly below the minimum work, but I had to get a run in if I was going to Ascot."

He added: "It's been a hell of a rush. He was in his box for a long time, then just walking and I've only got two pieces of work in and one was somewhat leisurely to say the least.

"We will go to the St James's Palace Stakes and if we have lovely summer ground he will come on a bundle."

Dettori said: "The soft ground was breaking his pattern and he was struggling on it.

"I think he would get a mile and a quarter, but he has the speed for a mile. He's got quite a classical Frankel stride and is a pleasure to ride. He's done nothing wrong so far."

Sky Bet were suitably impressed and Without Parole is now their 4/1 favourite for the St James's Palace Stakes.

Circle produces more Magic

Ian Williams may have to rethink plans for Magic Circle following his striking success in the Matchbook VIP Henry II Stakes.

The six-year-old gelding claimed the Chester Cup only 13 days ago and left his rivals standing in this Group Three prize.

Moving smoothly into contention, the Fran Berry-ridden 11-2 shot quickly put daylight between himself and the field before crossing the line six lengths clear of Red Verdon.

Sky Bet cut Magic Circle to 20/1 for the Melbourne Cup, but he would need to be supplemented for the Ascot Gold Cup.

Williams said: "It has taken me aback a little. I didn't think winning a Chester Cup would be beyond him, but I thought it would be tough. What he has achieved today has really announced him as a stayer on the big scene.

"He was a bit cold early on and I spent half the race thinking it has come a bit quick for him, but it certainly wasn't too quick when he was turning in and he travelled up the hill like a very good horse.

"It was our plan to come here and we hoped to be placed and look at going to the Melbourne Cup with him, and that still remains our number one target. What we do between now and then has probably changed a little around today.

"I'm not sure what we will do with him, but the options are open. He looks on performance a far better stayer than we could have imagined he would be."

Brut produces Vintage performance in the National Stakes

Vintage Brut may have a date with the sales ring before a potential outing at Royal Ascot after he maintained his unbeaten record in the Matchbook Commission Free On All Sports National Stakes.

Having recorded a 25-1 surprise on his debut at Thirsk, the Tim Easterby-trained son of Dick Turpin showed that to be no fluke when squeezing through the tightest of gaps to take the five-furlong Listed event by a neck under David Allan.

Michael John O'Brien, representing owners Lovely Bubbly Racing, said of the 7-2 winner: "We are very pleased indeed. We put three into training this year and at the beginning of the year we decided this was the worst of the three.

"We also bred his mother, Traditionelle, who gave him such a difficult birth that it nearly killed him. He was a battered foal, we were so worried we might have had to put the mother down, but he got through all that so it might have made him tougher.

"He was just fantastic at Thirsk. My wife has been watching the race from Thirsk twice a day since and she was totally convinced he would be in the first three.

"We will go for the Norfolk at Ascot, but we are considering putting him in the boutique sale before that. We had a lot of offers after the race at Thirsk, but we wanted the Listed race for the mare and we've got that now."

Allan said: "The form looked good from his first race and we came here thinking he had a strong chance whatever he was up against.

"The gaps came and he quickened up nicely. The owner mentioned Ascot or the sales, so I'm hoping it's Ascot!"

He added: "I'd definitely recommend five furlongs at the moment. It's always a pretty strong gallop at Ascot and that would suit him, he'd finish his race strongly."

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