Having already demolished a useful field in the Voltigeur field at York last time out, the John Gosden-trained Cracksman put in another exceptional display to take his second successive Group Two victory in the Prix Neil in France.

The electrifying son of Frankel was swiftly settled into second by jockey Frankie Dettori behind early leader Finche, from the yard of Andre Fabre, as the five runners raced in single file.

Although he observed to be coming off the bridle early 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 the long-time pacesetter Finche wilted, it was left to his stablemate Avilius to defy Cracksman, but Dettori just needed hands and heels late on to push his mount out to score with any amount in hand plenty in hand.

Most bookmaking firms slashed Cracksman to 6-1 from 10s for next month’s Arc following his triumph, but pushed him back out to 10’s after owner Oppenheimer indicated it is unlikely the colt will even participate in that event though he could possibly run in it as a four-year old.

Oppenheimer stated “It was a great display. John is in America now and I think we will discuss plans with him”, “I don’t think we will decide 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 and that is unlikely to change”.