Anthony Oppenheimer eyeing possible mid-summer clash between Cracksman and Enable in the King George
Last season's highest-rated horse in Europe, Cracksman, returned with a stunning win in the Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp on Sunday and his owner Anthony Oppenheimer is eyeing up several big-race targets, most notably the King George at Ascot in July.
ANTHONY OPPENHEIMER is looking forward to seeing what Cracksman can achieve this season following his stunning return at ParisLongchamp on Sunday.
John Gosden's son of Frankel ended last year as the highest-rated horse in Europe after his brilliant display in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October.
On his first start as a four-year-old, he showed a devastating turn of foot in the hands of Frankie Dettori to win the Prix Ganay in dominant fashion.
Speaking on Monday afternoon, Oppenheimer told Press Association Sport: "It was so exciting and they tell me the last two furlongs were very fast indeed. It will be interesting to see what Timeform say, but I'm told he ran the last two furlongs like a sprinter."
The Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh on May 27, the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes back at Ascot in July are all on the agenda for Cracksman.
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Oppenheimer added: "That (Tattersalls Gold Cup) is the plan and then hopefully Royal Ascot, but he won't go anywhere if the ground is firm. He can handle everything else. Good to firm or soft ground is not a problem for him.
"I would love to win the King George."
Templegate's treble
NAP 2.50 Brighton - Diocletian: 'Should love the step up in distance'
NEXT BEST 5.55 Newcastle - Charles Fox: 'Looks a handicapper to follow for the shrewd James Fanshawe yard'
TREBLE 7.15 Kempton - Poet's Vanity: 'Andrew Balding's filly has much more to offer and this looks an ideal opportunity for her to return to winning ways
Oaks, King George and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Enable could face Cracksman in a mouthwatering clash between the two Gosden stars at either Ascot or in Paris, although Oppenheimer doesn't want to get carried away with the future too much.
He said: "As everyone knows you get shocks in racing. We saw that when Golden Horn was beaten in the Juddmonte International at York a couple of years ago. You're never invincible.
"I hope he'll go through the season and win some nice races.
"He's a good looking horse and he's become very popular, which helps.
"Hopefully there's a lot to look forward to."