CRACK SHOT OFF TARGET

CRACKSMAN only has an outside chance of running in today’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, the star colt’s trainer John Gosden warned last night.

The three-time Group 1 hero was among eight declarations for the 12-furlong Group 1, despite unsuitably fast ground on a sun-baked royal heath.

Thunderstorms were forecast for Ascot overnight after the Met Office issued a weather warning, but Gosden (right) fears the rain will not turn the going in his favour.

“You need to get on the roof and do a proper rain dance,” joked the Newmarket trainer.

“When I said ‘sufficient’ rain had to fall, I meant enough to change the ground, not just a little bit of rain. “It missed the track on Thursday night night and, although there’s a chance of heavy rain, it will then dry out and all that makes it unlikely he will run.”