Frankie can steer Cracksman to repeat success in star colt’s last hurrah
CRACKSMAN has the ideal conditions to end his career in style by repeating last year’s triumph in the Champion Stakes (3.50) at Ascot.
Heavy rain in Royal Berkshire is an annoyance to the organisers of British racing’s big-money finale, but it has arrived just in time for connections of Cracksman, who walloped Poet’s Word by seven lengths in the 10-furlong feature 12 months ago.
The hottest summer since 1976 has made life difficult for the John Gosden-trained son of Frankel, winner of the top-level Prix Ganay at Longchamp in April and Coronation Cup at Epsom in June – but off games since his defeat by Poet’s Word on quick ground in Royal Ascot’s Prince Of Wales’s Stakes.
There will be plenty of juice underfoot this afternoon, however, and, with Gosden confident the fitting of blinkers will aid Cracksman’s concentration, Frankie Dettori’s mount should bring his class to bear on his seven rivals.
On what promises to be a rewarding afternoon for Gosden and Dettori, will take plenty of beating in the Fillies & Mares Stakes (2.40).
Forced by illness to miss the Oaks at Epsom in June, Lah Ti Dar – successful at Newbury and Newmarket in the spring – returned to action with a 10-length supremacy in the Listed Galtres Stakes at York in August.
She found Kew Gardens too strong when the 7-4 favourite for the St Leger at Doncaster last time but, back in distance and against her own gender, should resume winning ways.
Gosden and Dettori open proceedings by teaming up with
in the Long Distance Cup (1.25).
The four-year-old gained Group 1 triumphs in the Gold Cup at Ascot and Goodwood Cup en route to lifting the inaugural Weatherbys Hamilton Stayers Million, and is expected to end a flawless campaign in style. Gosden’s Roaring Lion heads the market for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (3.15) but preference is for (left). He laughed at a mark of 99 in the Lincoln at Doncaster in March before stepping up in class to lift the bet365 Mile at Sandown the following month.
Fast ground was against the William Haggas trainee when he came eighth of 14 to Rhododendron in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May, but this playing surface will be much more to his liking. Back to his best with a half-length margin over Brando in the Sprint Cup at Haydock six weeks ago, is the one to be on in the Sprint Stakes (2.00).
James Fanshawe’s speedster boasts three wins from seven attempts over this course and distance – including this contest in 2016 – and another good show is on the cards.
The Balmoral Handicap (4.30) can go to bottom weight whose jockey Jason Watson will have reason to celebrate whatever the outcome – he will collect the champion apprentice trophy for 2018. For more control over your bets try Betfair’s Add places to your each-way bet for a better chance of winning or remove places to win bigger