Cracksman to end career on champion high

Rain just the ticket for colt that loves the soft ground

CRACKSMAN can end his brilliant racing career on a high by winning the Qipco Champion Stakes for the second year running at Ascot today.

The rain that has fallen this week has been manna from heaven for the softground loving colt, who frustratingly had to sit out a crucial part of the season due to the long, hot summer.

Rewind to 12 months ago, with the essential cut in the ground, and Cracksman served up probably his best-ever display when he routed the opposition as he came home seven lengths clear of Poet’s Word.

It looked like the John Gosdentrained colt was set to dominate in 2018, but that was not the case despite a blistering comeback success in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp in April.

Cracksman is reported to be in superb shape for his swansong and will wear blinkers for the first time to keep his mind on the job. He looks a good bet to headlight a cracking card.

Elsewhere, it is the fillies that could excel, with LAH TI DAR, also from the Gosden stable, expected to hit the right note as she takes on her own sex after losing out to Kew Gardens in the St Leger.

LAURENS can cap a magnificent season by taking her Group One haul to five in 2018, and six in all, by winning the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Aidan O’Brien added FLAG OF HONOUR to the field for the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at the five-day stage, and he too can be rewarded.

The Ballydoyle trainer looked to have a decent hand in the two-mile test to start with, so it could be significant he decided to supplement the Irish t Leger winner.

There is plenty of decent racing all over the country and sprint king Robert Cowell can send STORM OVER to land the William Hill Catterick Dash Handicap for the second successive year at the North Yorkshire track. SELECTIONS:

ASCOT: 1.25 FLAG OF HONOUR (NAP), 2.00 Brando, 2.40 Lah Ti Dar, 3.15 Laurens, 3.50 Cracksman, 4.30 Kynren.

CATTERICK: 1.50 Sylvia’s Mother, 2.25 Arletta Star, 2.55 Vallarta, 3.30 Storm Over, 4.05 Al Destoor, 4.40 Zeyzoun, 5.10 Queen Adelaide.

DOUBLE: Flag Of Honour and Cracksman.

John Gosden: Trains Cracksman.