CRACK ON FOR ASCOT JOY

TRAINER JOHN GOSDEN CAN TAKE QIPCO CHAMPION STAKES WITH FRANKEL COLT CRACKSMAN TOMORROW

Cracksman can put the seal on a fine three-yearold campaign with victory in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot tomorrow.

The John Gosdentrained 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 Derbies, Frankie Dettori’s mount looked an improved performer when winning the Great Voltigeur at York in August and was not hard-pushed to continue 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, with a bit of cut in the ground certain to suit over 10 furlongs and few riders better at Ascot than Dettori, especially if he decides to do it from the front.

Connections were initially lukewarm on the idea of another run this season, but this looked too good an opportunity to pass up.

Aidan O’Brien has been impossible to keep out of the headlines this year when it has mattered most, so expect to see Order Of St George put the record straight in the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup.

There were plenty of long faces when he was turned over in an absolute epic for the Gold Cup at the Royal meeting in the summer, but whether it would be the same result if the race was run again is open to debate.

The five-year-old has made no mistake in two wins since, and also ran a huge race to be fourth to Enable in the Arc.

In fairness, he was beaten in this race 12 months ago when running a similar race in the Arc, so there will be those wanting to take him on, which will hopefully ensure his price is a backable one.

It is hard to look past Harry Angel in the Qipco British Champions Sprint.

Bateel has been quietly progressive over the last few months away from the big guns and a plan looks like coming to fruition in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.

If there is to be an upset – of sorts – on the card, then it may come in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, where Beat The Bank is fancied to give Ribchester a real fight.