Oppenheimer would not run scared from Enable with 'stronger' Cracksman

Cracksman will not duck a showdown with stablemate Enable should this year’s champion filly return next year to set up a middle-distance battle of the sexes, owner Anthony Oppenheimer insisted on Wednesday.

While Cracksman – who is heading for the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on October 21 – has been confirmed for a four-year-old career, the future for Khalid Abdullah’s Enable remains undecided.

Reflecting on Enable's supreme show in the Arc last weekend, Oppenheimer said: "It would have been difficult to beat her in that form, I am sure, but I would be keen to take her on next year when we think our horse will be much stronger.

"We are in racing for the enjoyment and can't run away from anything and are very much looking forward to next year when the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes will be his main target at Ascot, which will suit his big stride."

Oppenheimer is less keen to target the Group 1 Coronation Cup because of Epsom not suiting Cracksman's stride, even though he was third to the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair Wings Of Eagles and Cliffs Of Moher in the Derby.

The Champion Stakes, with a drop back to ten furlongs, over which he won the Derby Trial at Epsom in April, remains the intended sign-off for Cracksman this year, with trainer John Gosden on Tuesday indicating the intention to run.

"The race is still more than two weeks away so anything could happen," said Oppenheimer after Cracksman was one of 26, including 11 trained by O'Brien, left in the Group 1 showpiece for which he was on Wednesday a top-priced 7-2 favourite.

"He is full of himself at the moment and Mr Gosden will assess the situation nearer the time but if it is wet in October and the ground is soft he might easily run."

As to dropping back in trip, Oppenheimer added: "Of the four races at Chantilly, the Prix Niel was the slowest but he covered the final furlong in by far the fastest time on gluey ground that day."

Godolphin has left in five in the Group 1, part of the British Champions series, including the Gosden-trained Jack Hobbs, 2016 Eclipse winner Hawkbill, Barney Roy and Thunder Snow.

Barney Roy's trainer Richard Hannon said: "After discussing it with the owners, it is looking much more likely that he'll take his chance in the Champion rather than the QEII. Godolphin also have Ribchester in the QEII so it makes sense to have a crack at the big one but that's not to say he won't drop back to a mile next year as we'll be looking at races like the Lockinge for him."

Qipco Champion Stakes