Cracksman has been ruled out of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and will instead defend the Champion Stakes at Ascot at what will be his final start.
The John Gosden-trained colt was a brilliant winner of last season’s Champion Stakes but has failed to reproduce that level of form in three starts this year.
His owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer had hoped to see Cracksman take on esteemed stablemate Enable at ParisLongchamp on Sunday but his participation has always been ground dependent.
With little rain forecast, Oppenheimer confirmed Cracksman would not run in the race the owner won in 2015 with Golden Horn.
“It’s very sad, as we wanted to run, but we have got to give him the opportunity to show himself at his best,” Oppenheimer told Press Association Sport.
“As we’ve got nearer to the weekend, the forecast rain has got less and less. It might end up pouring down on Sunday morning or something, but we had to make a decision.
“If we did declare and then didn’t run, we’d have faced a hefty penalty, I believe, and also it wouldn’t be fair on everyone else who wants to know whether he’s running or not.
“We’ll go to Ascot now, which we’re delighted to do. He’s won the race before. It’s still a couple of weeks away, so we’ll see what the ground is like nearer the time.
“He’ll have to run there anyway as that will be his last race.”
