Cracksman remains unlikely for Arc after Niel win
Cracksman made short work of his four rivals as he recorded an impressive success in the Qatar Prix Niel.
Having slammed the Voltigeur field at York last time out, the John Gosden-trained colt put in another smart display to take his second successive Group Two victory.
The son of Frankel was quickly settled into second by Frankie Dettori behind early leader Finche, from the yard of Andre Fabre, as the five runners raced in single file.
Although coming off the bridle early on in the home straight, the Anthony Oppenheimer-owned colt found plenty when asked, sweeping to the front of the mile-and-a-half prize around two furlongs from home.
As Finche wilted, it was left to his stablemate Avilius to challenge, but Dettori just needed hands and heels late on to push his mount out to score with plenty in hand.
Sky Bet initially cut Cracksman to 6-1 from 10s for next month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe following his success, but pushed him back out to 10s after owner Anthony Oppenheimer indicated it is unlikely the colt will contest that event.
He told Equidia Live: "It is unlikely that Cracksman participates in the 2017 Arc. On the other hand, he could run it in as a four-year-old."
Oppenheimer does not anticipate any definite decision on future plans in the coming days and will discuss the possible options with Gosden, who is currently in America.
He said: "It was a great display. John is in America at the moment and I think we will discuss plans with him.
"I don't think we will make a decision for the next 10 days. I just don't want the horse to have a hard race. "We will have to see, plus Frankie is on Enable (in the Arc) at the moment."
Video: Watch Cracksman win the Prix Niel:
Bateel continued her incredible season by claiming a first Group One success in the Qatar Prix Vermeille at Chantilly.
Despite failing to feature on her previous two attempts at the highest level, the Francis Graffard-trained five-year-old was not to be denied on this occasion.
Having backed up her Group Three success at Haydock with a Group Two victory at Deauville, the daughter of Dubawi had little trouble in adding the 12-furlong prize to her haul.
Racing in midfield for much of the race, the former David Simcock-trained mare pressed on together with the John Gosden-trained Journey around around a furlong and a half from home.
With little to separate the pair, it was only inside the last 100 yards that Bateel gained the upper hand to register her third success of the campaign.
Dschingis Secret enhanced his Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe claims when springing a surprise in the Qatar Prix Foy at Chantilly.
In a race which was expected to revolve around Japanese raider Satono Diamond, it was the Markus Klug-trained four-year-old who stole the show in the mile-and-a-half Group Two.
All looked set to go to plan for the Yasutoshi Ikee-trained Satono Diamond with Christophe Lemaire positioning his mount to take aim at his front-running stablemate Satono Noblesse as the field turned for home.
The writing though was soon on the wall for the short priced favourite though, with Dschingis Secret, together with the Andre Fabre-trained pair of Cloth Of Stars and Talismanic, moving on approaching the final furlong.
Responding well to pressure, Dschingis Secret pulled out plenty when required to come home a clear-cut winner under Adrie de Vries, with Cloth Of Stars and Talismanic taking minor honours.
Sky Bet went 12-1 from 33s about the winner for the Arc.
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