Cracksman Powers Forward to Win Prix Ganay

European champion Cracksman returned to the track in style April 29 with convincing success in the €600,000 Prix Ganay—Prix de l'Inauguration de ParisLongchamp (G1) at ParisLongchamp.

Anthony Oppenheimer's 4-year-old was making his first start since running away with the QIPCO Champion Stakes (G1) over 10 furlongs at Ascot last fall. He made short work of his six rivals, with jockey Frankie Dettori content to track the pace for much of the race before unleashing a strong challenge in the straight. The son of Frankel took up the running entering the final furlong and powered clear under a hand ride to score by four lengths over Wren's Day, who held on for second by three-quarters of a length over stablemate Cloth Of Stars.  

Cracksman's time for the 2,100-meter (10 1/2 furlong) test was 2:09.44 on a track described as good.

"It was a lovely performance, a pretty taking effort," trainer John Gosden said. "He gets low and runs straight, and it will bring him on. The Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot could be a target; on genuine good to firm ground there would be no reason not to go there. The great thing is he has won today on good—it's slightly the faster side of good having walked it—so that's great, and he goes in the soft and is versatile."

Dettori was also happy, despite admitting to some anxiety beforehand. "It's the first group 1 of the season, he's one of my best rides, so of course I get nervous," he said. "It's a relief (to win), and he's got a fantastic season ahead."

Andre Fabre's Cloth Of Stars, winner of last year's Ganay before running second in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), was expected to be Cracksman's chief opposition. Anchored in the rear for much of the race under Mickael Barzalona, the Sea The Stars colt was unable to threaten in the straight, ultimately failing to reel in fellow Godolphin SNC entry Wren's Day for second.  

Aidan O'Brien's Rhododendron finished a three-quarters of a length back in fourth. Fabre's other runner, Finche, German raider Wild Chief, and Air Pilot completed the order of finish.

The Prix Ganay returned to ParisLongchamp after a two-year switch to Saint-Cloud while the course underwent a £110m ($145m) redevelopment.  

The race often provides clues for the following autumn's Arc, with Dylan Thomas the last horse to complete the double in 2009. Gosden did not rule out a clash between his 2017 winner Enable and Cracksman back here in October. "There is a strong possibility Enable will run in the Coronation Cup at Epsom. If both horses are healthy and happy in the autumn, they can meet here at Longchamp," he said.