Cracksman looking better than ever as French reappearance approaches

Cracksman John Gosden
Rated the best horse in Europe in 2017, the four-year-old was found stretching out nicely over a mile on the Al Bahathri Polytrack at second lot. Just like his sire Frankel, Anthony Oppenheimer's colt has filled out in all the right places from three to four and is the most wonderful mover. After abandoning plans to take his charge to Dubai, Gosden is now targeting the Group 1 Prix Ganay at Longchamp on April 29.

Willie JohnRoger Varian
In traditional Carlburg Stables mode, Varian was first out on the gallops at 6.05am where this big-money February Sales purchase led the way under Andrea Atzeni around Waterhall. As you would expect, the 1.9 million gns colt certainly looks the part and was travelling nicely in hand at the close of a mile exercise at a venue that has a dog-leg right-hand bend at the five-furlong pole.

Willie John changed hands for 1,900,000 guineas at the Tattersalls February SaleCredit: Laura Green

Wild Illusion Charlie Appleby
Five days after stepping off a plane from Dubai, this 1,000 Guineas prospect showed her obvious wellbeing during her first leg stretch around Waterhall. In common with other stablemates such as Ghaiyyath, Glorious Journey and Wuheida, the Group 1 winner spent the winter at Marmoom Stables out in the Dubaian desert where the turf training track is not unlike Chantilly racecourse.

Gabr Sir Michael Stoute
After 46 years as a licence-holder, Stoute has recently achieved a notable first – equipping his string with the same coloured pink and blue cap for identification purposes. The colour choice has not been universally welcomed but did at least allow Stoute to pick out his team on Waterhall. Kevin Bradshaw was easy to spot on Gabr, a white-faced son of Intello who drew attention from many onlookers

Kevin Bradshaw models the new Stoute cap colours on Gabr

Zain HanaJeremy Noseda
John Egan is looking forward to partnering a Scat Daddy colt (lot 71) at the Tattersalls Craven Breeze Up Sales in a fortnight, but was on hand to put this Yarmouth maiden winner through her paces on the Al Bahathri. The daughter of Shamardal mixed it with Frankel filly Betty F over six furlongs and could well reappear in a trial this month.

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