Cracksman tops Enable on BHA ratings with performance of the year

Cracksman versus Enable was already the most keenly anticipated clash of 2018. Now expectancy has been heightened still further by the release of the BHA's latest ratings for the pair.

By handicapper Dominic Gardiner-Hill's calculations, Cracksman's seven-length demolition job in Saturday's British Champion Stakes was the best performance seen anywhere in Europe this year, surpassing even Enable's superb two-and-a-half length Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe defeat of Cloth Of Stars and Ulysses.

Echoing closely the calculations of Racing Post handicapper Paul Curtis, Gardiner-Hill has awarded Cracksman a mark of 130, 2lb higher than Enable.

However if – or hopefully when – the stablemates meet on the racecourse there will be a significant sex allowance to take into account. It is 3lb in the King George and 1.5 kilos, or 3.3lb, in the Arc, which on paper is enough to tip the scales back in Enable's favour.

Gardiner-Hill, who pointed out that his figures are subject to ratification by an international panel meeting in Hong Kong in December, argued: "With due respect to his stable companion Enable, and notwithstanding the decisions of the World’s Best Racehorse Ranking Committee, it is my belief that Cracksman put up the best performance we have seen in Europe this year.

"Visually his seven lengths success was extremely impressive. The fact he ran the fastest final furlong of the afternoon confirms the merit of the performance and I have raised his mark 8lb from 122 to 130."

Gardiner-Hill's calculations are pinned principally on the French-trained fourth Recoletos and allow for both the second and third having run significantly below their best, but for which Cracksman might have been rated still higher. However, he is prepared to see even better from Enable at four.

He said: "For those who believe Cracksman's mark to be a slight on Enable I believe it's worth pointing out these figures are a measure of performance, rather than a measure of the inherent ability of the horse.

"The truth is nobody knows how good Enable is; she just keeps winning. By the same token we don’t know the limits of Cracksman’s ability at the present time.

"It's my opinion that the latter’s performance on Saturday was better than her efforts in winning both the King George and the Arc. Do bear in mind, though, that she received the sex allowance in both races."

Betway make Enable 4-6 to get the better of her stablemate if they meet in next season's King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes, with Cracksman priced at 6-5. They also expect Dettori to retain the partnership with the Arc heroine, making him 1-2 to ride her and 6-4 to side with Cracksman.

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