Cracksman to miss Arc and head to Champions Day for final race

John Gosden has confirmed that Cracksman will not run in Sunday's Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but will instead head to Ascot for his final race in the QIPCO Champion Stakes on October 20.

The four-year-old colt, who was a general 12-1 shot for the Longchamp showpiece, had not been considered a definite runner owing to the quick ground at the track and will now attempt to defend his Champion Stakes title, where he could face stablemate Roaring Lion and King George runner-up Crystal Ocean.

Gosden, who will bid for a second consecutive Arc victory with Enable, said on Thursday morning: "Cracksman will not be going to the Arc. We will sit tight and wait for the Champion Stakes.

"They were forecast possible light showers on Sunday morning but we didn't think that was enough for him to run."

The son of Frankel, who hasn't run since finishing a lacklustre second to Poet's Word in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, missed summer targets such as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Juddmonte International owing to unsuitably firm ground.

Anthony Oppenheimer's colt is 9-4 with William Hill to retain his Champion Stakes title behind Roaring Lion, who is a general 6-4.

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