Racing: ‘No excuses’ as fabulous Frankel targets 11th win at Ascot

Published on 19/06/2012 02:47

THE brilliant colt Frankel – officially rated the world’s best horse in training – goes for his 11th straight victory as he bids to get Royal Ascot off to the best possible start in the Queen Anne Stakes this afternoon.

Sir Henry Cecil’s superstar colt has carried all before him so far and heads into the first race of five glorious days as the long odds-on favourite. He made an impressive reappearance as a four-year-old in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury last month to register his sixth Group One success, despite suffering a setback that cost him ten days’ work and at one stage had even appeared to threaten his racing future.

Cecil says there will be “no excuses” as Frankel attempts to further enhance his reputation. “He’s in good order and there are no excuses,” said Cecil on the eve of the Royal meeting. “You always feel nerves with horses like that, he has a great following and you don’t want to let anyone down. I’m very proud of what he’s achieved, we’re lucky to have him and I hope to continue where we left off People love champions, whatever the sport, not just racing. I’m not a golf or tennis fan but I love watching the best. If people are not involved in racing they still latch on to them (champions), so let’s hope he continues.

“The idea is not to win by massive margins but as long as he can win nicely that would be fantastic. After Ascot, the idea would be to go to Goodwood (for the Sussex Stakes) then he’ll go a bit further in distance at York (Juddmonte International).”

Owner Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe felt it was a credit to the horse that he won so well at Newbury after his injury scare. “In every way we were (impressed) because after his little scare, we were a bit apprehensive going into a Group One having missed about 10 days, so to get him back on track and the way he did it, we were just delighted really,” he said. “He’s got this incredible stride – you can see when he’s racing he’s taking one stride while the others are having to just do that little bit extra to keep up with him.

“Everyone thinks everything is a penalty kick, but I don’t know of a Group 1 that is a penalty kick, even for Frankel. If he’s remembered for being one of the greatest milers or the greatest miler or the greatest mile and a quarter horse of all time or up there, that would be pretty good for us. I hope it is (a walk in the park for Frankel).”

Excelebration, who has been beaten four times by Frankel including in the Lockinge, is second in the betting but Richard Hannon believes Strong Suit is entitled to get just as close to the favourite. The multiple Group winner is making his seasonal reappearance here and the trainer said: “Strong Suit is only rated 2lb behind Excelebration, but our fellow is already a dual Royal Ascot winner and he is twice the price.

“Hughesie (Richard Hughes) reckoned that his last bit of work up at Everleigh was the best he has ever done, and obviously the more the ground dries out the better our chance.”

SELECTIONS

Royal Ascot

2.30 Frankel

3.05 Wizz Kid

3.45 Born To Sea

4.25 The Taj

5.00 Al Khawaneej (nap)

5.35 Smoothtalkinrascal

Thirsk

2.15 Lady Ibrox

2.50 Jamesbo’s Girl

3.25 Lacily

4.00 Entihaa

4.40 Charles De Mille

5.15 Fol Hollow

5.45 Besty

6.15 Gulf Storm

Brighton

6.00 Festival Dance

6.30 Emirates Echo

7.00 Smoky Cloud

7.30 Renegotiate

8.00 Toga Tiger

8.30 Final Delivery

9.00 Basle

Newton Abbot

6.40 Southway Star

7.10 Cabimas

7.40 Merry Terry

8.10 Get It On

8.40 Safe Investment

9.10 Miss Mayfair

Double

Al Khawaneej

2:30 Ascot

Born To Sea

3:45 Ascot