Cracksman's owner Anthony Oppenheimer feels it is "unlikely" his star colt will travel to Dubai for the Sheema Classic on World Cup night, although a final decision has yet to be made.
The John Gosden-trained colt was placed in the Derby and the Irish equivalent last season and ended his campaign with a spectacular victory in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, a success which helped see him rated the joint-third best horse in the world, ahead of stablemate Enable despite her own incredible 2017.
Gosden will be at pains to keep the pair apart this year and has already stated he is not planning on them taking each other on until the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which will be back at a redeveloped Longchamp in October this season.
"No decision has been made, but I think it is probably unlikely," Oppenheimer said. "It makes it a long season if you go out there, so I'd say it's unlikely. But we haven't had a discussion yet and I don't think we will until March 10 or 12."
Cracksman is Sky Bet's 7/4 favourite for the Sheema Classic ahead of Cloth Of Stars (5/1) and Talismanic (7/1).
This year the Dubai World Cup meeting will take place at Meydan on March 31.
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