Anthony Oppenheimer's G2 Great Voltigeur S. and G2 Prix Niel winner Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}) will line up in next weekend's G1 Qipco Champion S., trainer John Gosden confirmed.
“He's in great form,” Gosden said of the 3-year-old. “He had a nice holiday after the Irish Derby into York and another nice gap then to Chantilly for the Prix Niel, and he's had another nice gap going into Ascot. He's in good form and I'm very happy with him. Frankie Dettori was pleased with his work on Wednesday and I'm looking forward to running him in the Champion S. I hope he doesn't get a wide draw.”
Gosden also has Godolphin's dual Group 1 winner Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling) engaged, but admitted the 5-year-old isn't certain to line up. Jack Hobbs won the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March but was last in the G1 Prince of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot and beat just one home when beaten 31 lengths by Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S.
“We will see through the week if we run him or not,” Gosden said. “That race [Prince of Wales's] didn't do him any good and it was unwise to run him in those temperatures on that ground, whereas the Sheema Classic was a very smart move. We will see how he works in the week, but there's no final decision. I would have thought if he doesn't run, he will not run again and I think a stud career will beckon.”
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