Cracksman boosted by ease in going as course insists ground will be no problem

Cracksman was promoted to clear favourite for the Qipco Champion Stakes on Sunday with the prospect of ease in the ground for Ascot's end-of season showpiece on Saturday.

But clerk of the course Chris Stickels is confident the climax to the British Flat season will not be compromised by deteriorating ground, predicting underfoot conditions will be no worse than soft for Qipco Champions Day, despite the arrival of wet weather.

And the likelihood of slower going will be music to the ears of the connections of Cracksman, who is due to bring down the curtain on his career at Ascot regardless of the ground, having romped home in the race last year.