Imperious Cracksman back to his very best with Champion rout

ASCOT, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: Frankie Dettori celebrates after he rides clear on Cracksman to win The QIPCO Champion Stakes during QIPCO British Champions Day at Ascot Racecourse on October 20, 2018 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Imag

Frankie Dettori sports a big smile after Cracksman's successCredit: Charlie Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Cracksman returned to his very best in scintillating style for a repeat success in the Champion Stakes, posting a season-leading Racing Post Rating of 131 in replicating his 2017-winning figure.

This six-length success in first-time blinkers showed he retained all his three-year-old ability and with this success has all but assured his position as champion of Europe for a second season.

While clearly not the deepest of Champion Stakes, and with his closest form rivals better over further, this demolition of King George runner-up Crystal Ocean still looks worthy of his lofty rating.

Read the full story

Read award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, with exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours and subscriber-only emails.

Subscribe to unlock

Racing Post digital newspaper (worth over £100 per month)
Award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing
Expert tips from the likes of Tom Segal and Paul Kealy
Replays and results analysis from all UK and Irish racecourses
Form study tools including the Pro Card and Horse Tracker
Extensive archive of statistics covering horses, trainers, jockeys, owners, pedigree and sales data

Already a subscriber?Log in

Paul CurtisSenior handicapper

Published on 20 October 2018inReports

Last updated 18:24, 20 October 2018

Copy