CRACKSMAN returned to his brilliant best to register back-to-back triumphs in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Wearing blinkers for the first time, the John Gosden-trained four-year-old blew the opposition away in the straight, on what was probably his last race before he embarks on a new career as a stallion.

Another Gosden runner, Maverick Wave, set the pace with Capri and Crystal Ocean on his heels. Frankie Dettori had to roust Cracksman early on to get into a decent position, but it was pretty smooth sailing after that.

Capri hit the front briefly in the straight, but once Dettori unleashed Cracksman, the race was over. The 5/6 favourite quickly put daylight between himself and his rivals, as he romped home by six lengths.

Crystal Ocean was second with Czech Republic representative Subway Dancer running a massive race in third place, a further three-quarters of a length away.

It was a big-race treble for the Gosden team following the earlier victories of Stradivarius and Roaring Lion.