Gosden is having a crack at Ascot
Trainer races Cracksman at a mile and a quarter for first time since Derby Trial
John Gosden hopes the decision to sidestep a clash with stablemate Enable will pay dividends for Cracksman in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot. Since he was placed in the Derby at Epsom and the Irish equivalent at the Curragh, Cracksman looked impressive when winning the Great Voltigeur at York and the Prix Niel at Chantilly.
He would have been entitled to line up in the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe three weeks ago, butgosdenrelieduponenable and it looked a wise call after the filly produced an imperious display. Gosden said: “The way Enable was going we decided it was best to leave her alone in the Arc and to take a good look at the Champion and that’s what we are doing.”
Asked how he felt Cracksman would have fared in Europe’s premier middle-distance event, the trainer said: “He would have been in the first three.”
He reverts to a mile and a quarter for the first time since winning the Epsom Derby Trial in late April.
Barney Roy has enjoyed a fine season for Richard Hannon and Godolphin, with his win in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot supplemented by placed efforts in the 2,000 Guineas, Coral-eclipse and Juddmonte International. Hannon is confident of another bold showing on British Champions Day.
Sir Michael Stoute resisted the temptation to saddle Eclipse and Juddmonte International winner Ulysses, who now heads for the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar. In his absence, the master of Freemason Lodge relies upon Poet’s Word.
The Champion Stakes is one of the few prizes to have eluded Aidan O’brien, who sends sixtime Group One winner Highland Reel and Cliffs Of Moher into battle this year. He said: “Highlandreelisingoodform. He’s had a little break since the King George [finished fourth] and seems in good form. Cliffs Of Moher just got caught in traffic at Leopardstown [sixth in Irish Champion Stakes] but is in good form.”
The Jean-claude Rougettrained Brametot won the French 2,000 Guineas and the French Derby earlier in the year and was fifth in the Arc.
Rupert Pritchard-gordon, racing manager for owners Al Shaqab Racing in France, said: “Whether he’s good enough to beat the likes of Cracksman we don’t know, but if he repeats his form then he has a chance.”
The other French challenger is Recoletos, trained by Carlos Laffon-parias.
Ken Condon’s stable star Success Days, David Simcock’s Desert Encounter and Gosden-trained outsider Maverick Wave complete the line-up.