Cracksman team eyeing another golden result in Derby

He might not be the next Golden Horn but connections of leading Investec Derby hope Cracksman are warming to the prospect that the son of Frankel has what it takes to become a Classic winner on just his third career start at Epsom on Saturday week.

Until now, trainer John Gosden, big-race jockey Frankie Dettori and owner Anthony Oppenheimer – who memorably combined to win the race with the exceptional Golden Horn two years ago – have been keen to play down his prospects, but after watching him work at the home of the Derby on Tuesday morning there was a different vibe.

“Golden Horn was a very strong, legitimate favourite and his performance in the Dante said it all, but we didn’t supplement Cracksman for fun in April,” said Gosden.

“We like Cracksman a lot but he’s a different horse altogether. He comes from a lovely family and I think the mile and a half will be right up his alley.”

John Gosden gives Frankie Dettori his instructions before Cracksman's workoutCredit: Edward Whitaker

Despite missing his intended prep in the Dante due to testing ground and the close proximity to the Derby, Cracksman had his credentials bolstered when the horse he beat in Epsom’s Derby Trial last month, Permian, won at York.

Gosden's colt now ranges between 7-2 favourite and 5-1 second choice for the Derby and has the right temperament to overcome his lack of inexperience, according to connections.

“We wanted to get that next race in and wanted to run in the Dante and if it hadn’t rained he would have,” added Gosden. “But I’ve been lucky enough to come here today, have a nice breeze and that makes a very big difference. He’s also had a run around here and he’s come on a lot.

“It’s a very open race but he deserves to be up there, along with three or four others. Aidan O'Brien is putting some beautifully bred colts in, so one of those could just be the horse.”

Cracksman will bid to be the first since Blue Peter in 1939 to progress to victory from winning Epsom’s Derby Trial, and Dettori thinks his course form could be crucial on the big day.

“What happened at Epsom was a blessing,” said Dettori, before dashing off for an appointment with ITV’s Loose Women show. “It was a slowly run race and he had to do a lot of things but he answered every call.

"He’s not Golden Horn yet by any means, but he could be anything and a week on Saturday we’ll find out.”

Oppenheimer was also on hand to watch his homebred work with stablemate Pealer and was pleased with what he witnessed.

The owner said: “He did everything right this morning and it was just perfect. Golden Horn was like a rocket in the Dante. He loved his racing and was hard, whereas this horse is so laid-back, but Frankie and John are very confident he'll stay and he’ll be right there at the end.”

There was no denying who impressed most during the morning workouts, with fellow Frankel colt Eminent stealing the show under Jim Crowley, much to the delight of trainer Martyn Meade.

“I was absolutely thrilled,” said Meade, who revealed his Craven winner had stayed at Epsom overnight. “We didn’t want to overdo it but I’m delighted how he’s handled the whole experience.”

Eminent, who was cut to between 7-1 and 8-1 (from 10 generally) after his exercise, could manage only sixth in the 2,000 Guineas but Meade has no doubt the Derby will play far more to his strengths.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for,” said the trainer. “When he won his maiden, the most significant thing to come out of it was the time it took Jim to pull him up, and from that day I’ve always thought he wanted further. The Guineas didn’t work out but we’re on track now and this is his distance.”

The morning gallopers worked on ground “on the slow side of good”, although a dry remainder of the week lies ahead.

Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper said: “We’re in a very good place with the ground. We’ll take a view of the track at the end of the week but we wouldn't allow the Derby to be run on ground faster than good to firm.”

Pealer promise

Derby clues might have been the name of the game on Tuesday morning but anyone impressed with Cracksman's showing should keep his workmate in mind.

The name to note is Pealer, a fellow Derby entry but perhaps more likely to run in handicap company at Haydock on Saturday. The 19-length Southwell maiden winner was no rollover for his more illustrious stablemate to master over a mile of the Derby course and was still within touching distance at the finish.

Pealer would be running this weekend off a mark of 85. And probably not unsupported!