Talking Horses: Cracksman needs storms at Ascot to run in King George


A heavy shower shortly before the last race will have done little to affect the official going, which left Cracksman’s supporters hoping for more significant rainfall overnight


The spectators were glancing nervously at a darkening sky as they started to leave the track here on Friday, but they were still no closer to knowing whether Cracksman, last year’s Champion Stakes winner, will line up for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Saturday afternoon after several thunderstorms passed nearby while leaving Ascot itself largely untouched.

There were several points during the afternoon when a downpour seemed inevitable, not least as Clon Coulis was led back to unsaddle after winning the Valient Stakes, the card’s feature race at 3.35, with thunder and lightning in the middle distance. A heavy shower shortly before the last race will have done little to affect the official going, which left Cracksman’s connections and supporters hoping for much more significant rainfall overnight.

Related: Cracksman will run in King George at Ascot if enough rain falls

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