Cecil: Frankel unlikely to blaze a trail at Ascot
Cecil was reluctant to disclose too many details of potential tactics yesterday, but the legendary trainer would prefer for the unbeaten-in-eight colt not to repeat his trailblazing exploits in the 2000 Guineas.
That was the second of the Frankel’s four runs this season and he was ridden with more restraint by Tom Queally on his most recent outing in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, where he still managed to deliver another staggering performance in demolishing Canford Cliffs.
Worryingly for his opponents at Ascot, of which there were nine confirmed, including Frankel’s pacemaker and lead-horse Bullet Train, Cecil believes he is still getting better. “I feel he’s definitely an improving horse and I hope he keeps progressing - time will tell,” Cecil said. “I haven’t decided what we’re going to do as I want to have a good look at the possible runners. I’ve got two or three ideas.
“I don’t want it to turn into a sprint and if they go a decent gallop I’m not worried about Bullet Train, but he’s in there if I need him.”
Cecil continued: “I don’t want him to make the running as he had quite an ordeal at Newmarket, especially as he’s more relaxed and settled now.
“It’s unlikely he’ll make the running – he could, but I don’t think it’s the best thing for him.”
Along with Coronation Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois winner Immortal Verse, the bookmakers believe Marco Botti’s Excelebration could be the other rival to put up most resistance.
Although soundly beaten by Frankel twice this season, in the Greenham Stakes and the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot, Excelebration produced a fine display to collect his first Group One in the Prix du Moulin at Longchamp.
“Obviously it’s very exciting to have a good horse going for such a big race. He did his final piece of work on Saturday, it went well and he’s ready to run,” said Botti.
“From what I’ve heard from Frankel’s team, they are very confident and they have said he’ll improve.
“We’re aware of the difficulty of the task, but that’s racing, and we’ve got a good horse. In another era without Frankel he could be the best miler in Europe but it’s nice to have a chance to run against a horse who’s considered to be the best in the world. It’s going to be tough.”
Richard Hannon has entered Dick Turpin and Dubawi Gold, while Godolphin may also be doubly represented with Poet’s Voice and Rio De La Plata. Roger Charlton’s Cityscape and Andrew Balding’s Side Glance complete the confirmations.
