Anthony Oppenheimer's Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) has recovered well from his G1 Coronation Cup exertions and is in good form ahead of an intended start in next week's G1 Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot, Racing Post reported on Monday. The three-time Group 1 winner just staved off a monumental upset when defeating Salouen (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) by only a head in that June 1 feature, but it was business as usual yesterday, as the 4-year-old was out for a canter on Warren Hill. 2017's highest-rated horse in Europe will then point toward the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot on July 28, instead of contesting the G1 Coral Eclipse S. at Sandown on July 7.
“Cracksman has come out of Epsom in good shape all things considered and he's on course for Royal Ascot,” trainer John Gosden told Racing Post. “He'll probably breeze midweek. The Ascot race will be at the end of a busy period for the horse, so there's no reason to be turning him out again quickly in the Eclipse. The plan would be to keep him fresh for the King George.”
Gosden was positive regarding his colt's chances in the Prince of Wales's S. and added, “The draw is very important for the 10-furlong races at Ascot as the bend at Swinley Bottom is not far from the start. We've had problems coming from the high numbers before, but we'll have to see what the 48-hour stage brings us. One thing we're not concerned about is the ground as Cracksman is quite versatile as regards surface. He's won on everything from good to soft.”
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