Trainers, jockeys and a football chairman talk about all things York

What sort of chance would you give Cracksman against Enable in the Arc?

Chris Hayes, jockey He’d struggle. I would imagine he’d be very much up against it. Enable is a seriously special filly who has a high-cruising speed, a turn of foot and stamina, so she will be very hard to beat in the Arc.

Charles Hitchings, Sporting Index odds compiler Cracksman would have to improve a fair bit to challenge Enable and I can understand connections considering waiting until he is four. That said, three-year-olds have won 14 of the last 20 Arcs, and even allowing for the difficult task it would seem remiss not to strongly consider striking while the iron is hot and taking on the favourite.

Paul Mulrennan, jockey Cracksman appeared to have improved for the break after the Irish Derby and looks like being a better horse next year, when he could be a champion four-year-old. If the two were to clash at Chantilly I’d be with Enable as she’s the real deal.