Cracksman’s easy ride sets Arc poser for Oppenheimer
No final decision over Chantilly for 10 days Caravaggio rediscovers form to land Flying Five
Cracksman has given his connections something of a headache, albeit a pleasant one, after winning the Prix Niel, one of the three Prix de l’arc de Triomphe trials at Chantilly yesterday, by three lengths.
Anthony Oppenheimer’s son of Frankel, who was placed in both the Epsom and Irish Derby, has strengthened up after a summer break and looks ready to mix it again in Group One company after facile wins in the Great Voltigeur and now the Niel.
Yesterday, merely pushed out by Frankie Dettori, he did not expend much more energy than he would have done during a good work out on Newmarket’s Limekilns and his victory was visually most impressive. It was a slow final time – although he recorded a very quick final furlong – and probably not the greatest Niel of all time, on top of which Dettori has nailed his colours to the favourite Enable’s mast for the Arc, which would mean a new jockey were he to run.
Having won the Arc two years ago with Golden Horn, Oppenheimer may feel he is well positioned to be patient with Cracksman and he suggested that the 2018 Arc was a more likely target, but added that a definitive decision was unlikely to be made for 10 days.
“It was a great display,” he said. “I will discuss the options with John Gosden, who is currently in America. We’d prefer to put him away without a hard race as we think that might take the sting out of him next year.
“It’s the gamble you have to take. Do you keep this horse as a fouryear-old, knowing all the jockeys who have ridden him have said he’ll be better next year, or do you take a run in the Arc, get second or third, give him a hard race without his jockey. That is the problem Mr Gosden will be facing.”
Gosden will also have been pleased by the return to form of Journey, who has always reserved her best for the autumn, when she finished a good second to Bateel in the Prix Vermeille.
The Japanese Arc runner Satona Diamond looked like a one-paced galloper in the Prix Foy and could only finish fourth behind the German-trained Dschingis Secret.
Ryan Moore ended a frustrating Irish Champions weekend with possibly yesterday’s best Arc trial of all, winning the Irish St Leger on Order Of St George. He kicked on turning in at The Curragh and last year’s Arc third won by nine lengths.
Caravaggio enjoyed a confidence-boosting win under Moore in the Group Two Flying Five. Aidan O’brien said: “I’m delighted. We wanted to come back here and get the confidence back. He did everything perfect. He has all the options. He obviously has the sprint in Ascot and also America.”
When Clemmie was withdrawn from the Moyglare, Moore replaced Donnacha O’brien on Magical while the trainer’s son switched to Happily. He had the last laugh when they pipped Magical on the line. September finished third to complete a Ballydoyle clean sweep.
The National Stakes was won by Jim Bolger’s Verbal Dexterity, who reversed the form with Gordon Elliott’s Beckford.
“He’s the real deal,” said Bolger. “He’s as good as any of the twoyear-olds I have had. He’s got a marvellous temperament and great looks – he has everything and is the complete package. I would think the Dewhurst will be next.”