Cracksman’s absence can Enable Dettori win
FRANKIE DETTORI-ridden Enable is odds-on favourite for Sunday’s Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe after stablemate Cracksman was ruled out.
All public statements about Cracksman running in the Arc from both trainer John Gosden and owner Anthony Oppenheimer after he had won the Great Voltigeur Stakes and Prix Niel had been laced with negativity, so yesterday’s announcement was expected.
However, Cracksman had been quoted as second favourite in antepost lists.
The two- furlong shorter Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 21 is still a possibility for Cracksman but Oppenheimer seems lukewarm on that for a horse he wants to save for its four-year-old career.
Oppenheimer said the fact that the Arc will again be run this year at Chantilly, a tighter track than its normal home of Longchamp which is being redeveloped, was a factor in the decision. ‘It had a lot to do with Chantilly itself,’ he said. ‘If it was at Longchamp, where the track is wider and the bends are not as tight, it may have been an easier decision.’
One contender seemingly on course for Champions Day at Ascot is Karl Burke’s Quiet Reflection. The dual Group One winner got an injury-hit season back on track with victory in the Renaissance Stakes at Naas yesterday. She will now take on Harry Angel in the Champion Sprint. TODAY’S Hamilton racing has been called off because of a waterlogged track. A replacement race for the abandoned Ayr Gold Cup will be held at Haydock on Saturday.