QATAR PRIX NIEL (GROUP 2)

THE most impressive performance of the afternoon came when the 5-2 on favourite Cracksman and Frankie Dettori destroyed the opposition in the Niel. The son of Frankel looked every bit a serious contender for the Arc but John Gosden already has Enable for the race and the Dettori would almost certainly choose the brilliant daughter of Nathaniel.

Tucked in behind the leader, Cracksman took total control two out and coasted home thereafter. The winning distance is totally academic but the colt did beat Avilius by three and a half lengths with his stablemate Finche a length away third. Needless to add, Dettori did not have to revert to his whip and Cracksman covered the final furlong quicker than the other two trials over the mile and a half.

Gosden was not at Chantilly as he was away at the Keeneland sales but earlier in the season he did state that he felt Cracksman was work in progress and still immature. There has been a lot of water under the bridge since and it was left to owner Anthony Oppenheim to chat to the press after the Niel. He said: “The ratings show that Cracksman is just as good as Golden Horn (Arc winner 2015) at this moment in this career. Frankie will be riding another horse in the Arc and I’m not sure that Cracksman would like to be ridden by another jockey. There’s only one Frankie.

“We came here as we didn’t want him to have a hard race as he’s not ready for that. The objective is to preserve him for a four-year-old career.

“I won’t make a decision (regarding Cracksman going for the Arc), Mr Gosden will make a decision. I’d think it will be another 10 days or more.

Dettori added: “The race went very well and we won very easily although the ground was a little soft for him today. I will be on Enable in the Arc as she has already won four Group 1 races. John Gosden will decide on the future of Cracksman.” The colt is currently around 10/1 with most bookmakers.