Frankel poised for further glory
Just three rivals, including his own lead horse and pacemaker Bullet Train, stand in the way of Henry Cecil’s colt taking his career record to a perfect 12 and those who like to back short-priced favourites will find no better odds than 1-16 at this stage.
Last year’s renewal saw Frankel tear the brilliant Canford Cliffs apart and he looked as impregnable as ever on his most recent start in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
So step forward Farhh, supplemented by Godolphin after his brave second to Nathaniel in the Eclipse, and St James’s Palace fifth Gabrial.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Prince Khalid Abdullah, said: “It was never destined to be an enormous field, so what can you do?
“Frankel’s in good shape, everyone seems very happy with his preparation, so he’s going into the race in good form.”
Grimthorpe still warns against complacency and said: “Frankel is definitely going to be the horse to beat – there is no doubt about that – but he still has to put his best foot forward.
“We respect him (Farhh) as he was unlucky at Royal Ascot and ran a super race at Sandown in the Eclipse so he is a very legitimate horse.”
It is likely to be the four-year-old’s final start over a mile, as Grimthorpe went on: “Frankel and Cirrus Des Aigles could certainly meet at York (in the Juddmonte International) because I understand Corine (Barande-Barbe, trainer of Cirrus Des Aigles) plans to bring Cirrus Des Aigles to the Knavesmire in August, which would be fantastic.