John Gosden’s Cracksman bids for Group 1 glory in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot racecourse
John Gosden's three-year-old skipped an outing in the Arc and connections decided to instead wait for Ascot on Saturday
JOHN GOSDEN reckons Cracksman will find the trip no problem in Saturday's QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot.
Gosden's three-year-old drops back to a mile and a quarter for the first time since winning the Epsom Derby Trial.
"He has won over mile and a quarter and is bred to be more of a mile to a mile-and-a-quarter horse," Gosden said.
"I think he has got the pace for it, (but) you would not want a falsely-run race.
"He has grown up a lot. He's a bigger, stronger horse than he was in the spring and now weighs 17 kilograms more than when he went to Epsom in April.
"He's done nothing but improve all year, so it would seem rather silly to bypass a race of this importance."
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Barney Roy is looking to get back to winning ways after two good performances in defeat in the Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International.
The Wiltshire handler told www.godolphin.com: "Barney Roy comes into this race fresh and well, having had a nice break since he ran at York.
"We took him for a spin around Kempton Park last week, which he has done before all his previous runs this season, and James Doyle was very pleased with him.
"I just hope that we don't get too much rain, but we are very pleased with Barney Roy's physical well-being and he looks in great nick."
Sir Michael Stoute relies upon Irish Champion Stakes runner-up Poet's Word.
Stoute said: "He will handle it with a bit of cut, but I don't want it too soft. It was his best effort ever in Ireland. I was thrilled with him and he has really progressed."
The Champion Stakes is one of the few major prizes to have so far eluded Aidan O'Brien, who sends six-time Group 1 winner Highland Reel and Cliffs Of Moher into battle this year.
Templegate's TV tips
1.25 Ascot - Stradivarius: 'He’s progressed brilliantly throughout the season and can get Frankie off to a flyer'
2.00 Ascot - Harry Angel: 'This Godolphin speedster is probably still improving and he just doesn’t have any holes in him'
2.40 Ascot - Bateel: 'She’s got a faultless record of six wins from six starts on ground with soft in the description'
3.15 Ascot - Ribchester: 'Undoubtedly been the best miler this season and he should cap it with his fifth Group 1 victory'
3.50 Ascot - Brametot: 'It’s not hard to argue he’s as good – if not better – over today’s shorter trip'
4.30 Ascot - Withernsea: 'Will be hoping the rain continues to pour down as he cannot have it soft enough'
He said: "Highland Reel is in good form. He's had a little break break since the King George (finished fourth) and seems in good form.
"It was very soft in the King George and hopefully it's not too bad this time. Cliffs Of Moher just got caught in traffic at Leopardstown (sixth in Irish Champion Stakes) but is in good form."