The rain finally stopped in York shortly before sunset on Wednesday night, after a day that turned the going on the Knavesmire from the soft side of good to the heavy side of soft. It’s a brighter start to the day here on Thursday, but the damage had been done and Cracksman, one of only three horses at a single-figure price for the Derby, was taken out of the Dante Stakes shortly before 9am this morning.
Cracksman has won both races in his career, including the Investec Derby Trial at Epsom in April, and is the leading domestic hope for the premier Classic back at Epsom on 3 June. Owner Anthony Oppenheimer said Cracksman will not run before the Derby and could instead gallop at the Breakfast with the Stars event at Epsom on 23 May.
Related: Hughie Morrison faces long training ban after horse fails drugs test
Continue reading...