Cecil hails superstar Frankel

HENRY Cecil declared Frankel to be the greatest horse he had ever set eyes upon after his colt turned the much-publicised clash with Canford Cliffs into an almost hopeless mis-match in the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Goodwood yesterday.

Considering Cecil himself has enjoyed a nearly unparalleled training career, his assessment was still in-keeping with the feeling of a wide-eyed audience, who witnessed the extraordinary three-year-old quicken five lengths clear of a multiple Group One-winning miler.

This was not a replica of his remorseless front-running in the 2000 Guineas and although Frankel ended up leading the four-strong field by default, he was ridden more patiently and Tom Queally only popped the cork with just over a furlong left.