Trainer John Gosden has confirmed Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for the next weekend's G2 Prix Niel S. at Chantilly. The Anthony Oppenheimer colourbearer was placed in this year's English and Irish Derbys before running away with the G2 Great Voltigeur S. on Aug. 23. Connections had originally suggested that mile and a half race would be the 3-year-old's last of the year, but the nature of his six-length score has caused a change of heart.
“He runs in the Prix Niel and all decisions will be made after that,” Gosden told ITV Racing. “He's in very good form. He did a good, strong canter this morning and we're very happy with him. These French trials are often trappy as they're a bit like those velodrome cycle races–they go creep, creep, creep and then sprint. They trot and sprint, so he could well be forced to make his own running, we'll see.”
Gosden also has the current favourite for the Oct. 1 G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), and he added of the 3-year-old filly, “This morning she did a 360 pirouette turn and nearly dropped the rider, so she's feeling well.”
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