Cracksman set to swerve King George unless significant rain arrives

Cracksman is likely to bypass next weekend's Ascot showpiece, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, unless there is significant rain, trainer John Gosden said on Saturday.

The top-rated horse in Europe in 2017, Cracksman did not appear to be in love with lightning-fast conditions at the Berkshire venue when finishing second in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at the royal meeting last month.

Prior to that, the son of Frankel had landed back-to-back Group 1 victories in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp and Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Cracksman, a general 7-1 chance for the King George, looked back to his best when impressing under Robert Havlin on the Al Bahathri Polytrack gallop in Newmarket on Saturday morning but may have to bide his time before returning to the fray.

Gosden said: "We'll leave Cracksman in the King George at the five-day stage on Monday, but unless they get one of these thunderstorms that may come up from France he won't be running.

"Looking at the general weather for next week it's into the 30s so it will be quick everywhere, I would imagine."

As for alternative plans for the four-year-old, Gosden said: "He's in a few places including York but his main target is the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which we'll be working towards."

John Gosden: 'His main target is the Arc, which we'll be working towards'Credit: Dan Abraham

The trainer has won Ascot's Qatar-sponsored King George three times, most recently with Enable a year ago, and is still hoping to be represented this time around.

He said: "We still have Coronet in the race and she'll be left in on Monday. She worked nicely this morning and she's a likely runner. She handles the ground and has won at the track before so there are plenty of positives."

Aidan O'Brien has a few contenders in the frame, headed by recent Grand Prix de Paris winner Kew Gardens, who is general 6-1 third favourite behind the Sir Michael Stoute-trained pair Crystal Ocean and Poet's Word.

O'Brien said on Saturday: "Kew Gardens, Rostropovich, Nelson and Cliffs Of Moher are in the mix, although plans won't be finalised for a few days."

King George entries and betting

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