Gosden aims to Crack on
CRACKSMAN can put the seal on a fine threeyear-old campaign with victory in today’s Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot. The John Gosden-trained Frankel colt arrives at the glittering finale to the British season as a relatively fresh horse, with connections having resisted the temptation of the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe at Chantilly, won so brilliantly by stablemate Enable. Placed in both the English and Irish Derby, Frankie Dettori’s mount looked an improved performer when winning the Great Voltigeur at York in August and continued his progression in the Prix Niel. That led to a clamour from armchair experts to see him in the Arc, but Gosden and owner Anthony Oppenheimer rightly stood firm – a decision that should be vindicated here. Connections were initially lukewarm on the idea of another run this season, but this looked too good an opportunity. It is hard to look past Harry Angel in the Qipco British Champions Sprint. Trainer Clive Cox and jockey Adam Kirby felt their flying machine should have won the Commonwealth Cup in the summer and whether or not that is a correct assertion, he has not put a foot wrong since. The Godolphin-owned son of Dark Angel looked tremendous when winning the July Cup at Newmarket and even better in the Sprint Cup at Haydock. Crucially, he proved his versatility in terms of ground at Haydock and so superior does he now look over the rest, it will take something more than a little unexpected to stop him making it three Group One wins in a row.