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29 Apr 2018

Cracksman makes short work of rivals on return

Cracksman put up a polished display on his return in France. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Cracksman put in a superb performance when making a winning seasonal debut in the Group 1 Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.

Last year’s runaway QIPCO Champion Stakes winner scorer surged clear of the opposition away in the final furlong with a devastating turn of foot.

Frankie Dettori had the John Gosden-trained Frankel colt in the box seat behind leader Wren’s Day, the pacemaker for his Andre Fabre-trained stablemate Cloth Of Stars, in the early stages.

Dettori edged the 1-2 favourite out to make his challenge soon after entering the top of the straight and Cracksman just needed a few strides to hit top gear.

He soon pulled several lengths clear and romped home from Wren’s Day, who kept on for second place with Cloth Of Stars third. Aidan O’Brien’s Rhododendron was fourth.

Gosden said: “He’s a stronger horse this year and is still growing. I’m very impressed with him.
“He was very good during the race and very relaxed afterwards, which was great to see.

“It was a nice pace, without being anyway near crazy. Frankie knew he was going to use the pacemaker and I particularly liked standing over a furlong down and seeing how he stretched past me.”

Gosden will point Cracksman towards the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, with the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh a possibility before that.

A jubilant Dettori said: “We went a nice pace, I sat second, kicked early. I thought the pacemaker was going a bit, but this horse has got another gear. He’s good.”

Cracksman’s outstanding stablemate, Enable, is set to make her return in the Investec Coronation Cup next month.