Cracksman out to crown grand reopening with show worthy of the occasion

Prix Ganay – Prix de l'Inauguration de ParisLongchamp (Group 1)| 4yo+ | 1m2½f | ATR

France's racing authorities could hardly have wished for a better guest appearance in celebration of the official inauguration of the new Longchamp, with Europe's champion three-year-old colt Cracksman making his seasonal return, six months after scorching to a seven-length success in the Champion Stakes.

Before that effort Cracksman showed his liking for France with an easy win in the Group 2 Prix Niel, leaving one of his Ganay rivals, Finche, four and a half lengths behind in third.

John Gosden has the task of keeping Cracksman apart from Arc-winning stablemate Enable at least until midsummer and the Ganay has been pencilled in for some time as a starting point for a season which could, if all goes well, end back at the new Longchamp on the first Sunday in October.

"Cracksman is in good order and has travelled over well by all accounts," said Gosden.

"He's had a good prep and has done well through what's been a tough winter. We took him to Newmarket the other day for a gallop and he heads into the race in good shape.

"My only concern is that it's a small field and these French races can be a bit trappy, but he's pretty versatile. If all goes well he could go to the Tattersalls Gold Cup as he's been to the Curragh before."

Cracksman is officially rated 5lb superior to Cloth Of Stars and, while three of his rivals have the advantage of a run under their belt, this race has – with the exception of Treve in 2014 – been a happy hunting ground for returning champions over the last 20 years.

Stars out to make up for Meydan lapse

Cloth Of Stars won this 12 months ago when it was staged at Saint-Cloud and crowned his four-year-old season with a fine second in the Arc, finishing significantly closer to Enable than any other horse had managed in her four previous Group 1 victories.

Trainer Andre Fabre gave Godolphin's five-year-old a low key return at Chantilly on the all-weather before he started favourite for the Sheema Classic.

Always a horse that could be keen, Cloth Of Stars became lit up by the antics of Hawkbill in the stalls before pulling Mickael Barzalona's arms out as the field crawled for the first mile.

In the circumstances third place was testament to his strength, but Fabre is taking no chances there might be a repeat, putting in Wren's Day in an attempt to guarantee a more even rhythm.

Fabre admitted: "Cloth Of Stars went mad in Meydan but has recovered his mind and seems fine. I’ve put in a lead horse to ensure they break well."

While his Arc second shows Cloth Of Stars stays well, Fabre has no concerns about dropping back a furlong and a half.

"Longchamp is quite a demanding course so the distance won’t be a problem," he said.

Fabre is also responsible for Finche, winner of the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam at three but only a fair sixth on his return here three weeks ago behind Air Pilot in the Prix d'Harcourt.

"He's been training quite well and hated every inch of the ground in the Prix d’Harcourt so will run a better race," said Fabre.

Opera heroine Rhododendron returns

If any of the leading contenders here can truly be said to be running over their ideal trip, it is probably Rhododendron, who was outstayed by Enable in the Oaks.

Having had her ambitions in the Prix de Diane derailed by a burst blood vessel, Rhododendron recovered her form in no uncertain fashion, defeating stablemate Hydrangea in a pulsating Prix de l'Opera.

A drop back to nine furlongs and an outside draw around Del Mar's tight turns subsequently proved her undoing behind Wuheida.

As with most of Aidan O'Brien's seasonal debutants the question remains, after such a cold and wet spring, how close to peak fitness will Rhododendron be?

"She's well and just ready to start off," said O'Brien. "It was always the plan to start her season in this race and we're hoping she runs well."

Beckett banks on forecast for Air Pilot

The traditional route to this race for those trainers who have their horses ready is the Group 3 Prix Exbury, followed by the Group 2 Prix d'Harcourt.

The finish of both those races was dominated by Air Pilot, who relished heavy ground on his trips to Saint-Cloud and Longchamp.

Air Pilot and Christophe Soumillon win the Prix D'Harcourt for Ralph BeckettCredit: Edward Whitaker

Beckett believes underfoot conditions account for his rich vein of form rather than any late career improvement and will be hoping as much of the anticipated rain arrives as possible, given Saturday's going description of good.

"We declared in anticipation of the forecast being correct because he's more effective on soft ground than most," said Beckett, who also runs Mountain Bell in the Group 3 Prix de Barbeville later on the card.

"It's a lot of money to be running for and, while he'll find it difficult to get in front of Rhododendron, Cracksman or Cloth Of Stars, if he runs his race and one of them doesn't he'll pick up a large cheque."

The field is rounded out by German-trained Wild Chief, who has tended to reserve his best form for trips to France but is nonetheless a big outsider.

"I've been fourth in a Jockey Club and a Ganay on him, while he was third in a Jacques le Marois as well," said jockey Fabien Lefebvre.

"His trainer Jens Hirschberger tells me he's well and he's very rarely wrong. I think if all seven horses run up to their very best he could finish fourth."

Betfred
4-7 Cracksman, 10-3 Cloth Of Stars, 11-2 Rhododendron, 20 Air Pilot, 20 Finche, 100 Wren's Day, 66 Wild Chief

Read exclusive previews from 6pm every day on racingpost.com