James Doyle gets call for Crystal Ocean in King George

Poet’s Word and James Doyle, left, beat Crystal Ocean in the King George last year: Pic Steve Davies/Racingfotos.com

James Doyle is “absolutely ecstatic” after picking up the plum ride on Crystal Ocean in the QIPCO-sponsored King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 27.

The son of Sea The Stars is unbeaten in three starts this season – completing his hat-trick with an impressive victory in last month’s Prince of Wales’s Stakes in the hands of Frankie Dettori.

With the Italian set to partner the brilliant dual Arc heroine Enable on Saturday week – and Ryan Moore likely to be committed to ride for Aidan O’Brien – the ride on Crystal Ocean was going begging and Doyle is thrilled to have been called up.

“Any sort of ride you pick up in a big race is always nice, but to pick up a ride on a horse like him in a race like a King George – I’m absolutely ecstatic,” the jockey told Sky Sports Racing.

“I’m going to sit on him on Saturday morning and I can’t wait really. He looks an absolute dream to ride. He looks very uncomplicated, which is always nice.”

Crystal Ocean is a best-priced 3-1 to provide Sir Michael Stoute with a record seventh King George success, with the John Gosden-trained Enable the 4-6 favourite to follow-up her impressive comeback victory in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

Doyle guided the now retired Poet’s Word to an epic King George success last year at the expense of stablemate Crystal Ocean. The rider has enjoyed two wins in the QIPCO British Champions Series this campaign aboard Blue Point.