Oppenheimer reveals Cracksman hopes

Anthony Oppenheimer is confident that Cracksman can enjoy a successful season after his impressive win at Paris Longchamp on Sunday.

The four-year-old, who ended 2017 as Europe’s highest-rated horse having romped to victory in October’s Champion Stakes at Ascot, started where he left off for trainer John Gosden with a dominant win in the Prix Ganay under the guidance of jockey Frankie Dettori at the weekend.

Owner Oppenheimer is now relishing the season ahead for the son of Frankel, as he is scheduled to race in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on May 27, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot before a return to Ascot for July’s King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

He told Press Association Sport: “It was so exciting and they tell me the last two furlongs were very fast indeed. It will be interesting to see what Timeform say, but I’m told he ran the last two furlongs like a sprinter.”

Oppenheimer added: “That (Tattersalls Gold Cup) is the plan and then hopefully Royal Ascot, but he won’t go anywhere if the ground is firm. He can handle everything else. Good to firm or soft ground is not a problem for him.

“I would love to win the King George.”