Cracksman Returns

Anthony Oppenheimer's Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) is the star turn at ParisLongchamp on Sunday as he comes back to action in the G1 Prix Ganay. Launching his reputation skywards when successful in the G1 Champion S. at Ascot in October, the homebred has no soft touch as he prepares for the summer features. “I'm happy with the horse. He will come on for the race as it is his first run of the year, but we couldn't be happier with him at this stage,” trainer John Gosden said. “He has had a good winter. It has been cold, but he has been out there doing his exercise and is on good terms with himself. It is early days, but I don't wind mine up fully. He will be coming into the race about 80%. I don't want them primed 100% for the first run of the year.”

Any rustiness in Cracksman will be exposed by last year's Ganay winner Cloth of Stars (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who has two runs under his belt in 2018 and was last seen finishing third in the Mar. 31 G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan. Second in the recent renewal of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly, Godolphin's representative will provide an accurate measure of where the Gosden runner is at this point. As ever, Aidan O'Brien has a live contender in Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who managed to win the G1 Prix de l'Opera on the Arc card before placing second in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar in November. Judged on how the stable's first runners have performed, she is likely to need the outing.