Door is still open for Crack

JOHN GOSDEN yesterday reported Cracksman “in top form” after his Prix Niel romp last Sunday.

And the Newmarket trainer (above) pledged to keep talking to the colt’s owner Anthony Oppenheimer with a view to a Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe challenge a fortnight today.

The son of Frankel is as short as 5-1 after his convincing triumph in the Arc trial at Chantilly seven days ago.

But, stressing a decision has yet to be reached over Crackman’s participation in Europe’s middledistance championship, Gosden said: “He’s a grand horse in top form.

”But we’re not forced to make a decision until a lot later.”

Punters who made Aidan O’Brien’s Irish Derby hero the 3-1 favourite began to sweat as Crystal Ocean delivered a sweeping challenge on the run to the last of the oldest Classic’s 14 furlongs.

But as his rival’s petrol gauge began to blink, Capri still had a full tank, responding to Moore’s calls to gain the day by half a length, with Stradivarius a short head back in third.

“He was very brave,” said Moore. “The second came to me with a good run and my horse showed plenty of heart to fend him off.

“I think it was a very good Leger – in normal years the first three would have been worthy winners.

“This horse is an Irish Derby winner – that form looked very good – and he put up a really good performance today.”

Moore seldom looks at ease in the limelight – but acceded to photographers’ requests to don the oversized silk cap given to the final Classic’s victorious jockey.

“I was delighted to wear the hat!” added the 33-year-old, who numbers two Derby triumphs among his 10 domestic Classics.

O’Brien, landing the Leger for the fifth time, smiled: “He has a lot of class, but he has great courage and stamina – when Ryan wanted him, he gave it to him.”

Now the master of