NEWLY-KNIGHTED Sir Henry Cecil is hoping Frankel can show his true champion class in the St James’s Palace Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot tomorrow.
Cecil received a knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to racing over the weekend.
And the master of Warren Place is hoping his brilliant winner of the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas can also serve racing well in tomorrow’s Group One contest.
The Galileo colt, who is owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah, will put his unbeaten record on the line against eight rivals as he looks for a third Group One win and a seventh career victory.
He is a best-priced 4-11 favourite and Cecil said: “Frankel seems very well and hopefully he will have a very good chance of continuing his unbeaten winning run.
“He has been hailed as a future champion and if he can go on from where he left off and confirms that status it will be great for racing.”
All of the eight rivals who will line up against Frankel are hoping to knock him off his perch.
Richard Hannon saddles Dubawi Gold, who was six lengths behind Frankel in second place at Newmarket. And he is happy to take him on again after his charge also finished runner-up in the Irish 2000 Guineas last time.
Hannon said: “He’s got a hell of a turn of foot and I think he’s getting better.
“In the English Guineas he came from a long way back, and then he went to Ireland and I think he was a bit unlucky there. He’s going to give them a bit to do.”
Also among the opposition is Aidan O’Brien’s Zoffany and the Richard Fahey-trained Wootton Bassett.
The latter will again be partnered by Warrington’s champion jockey Paul Hanagan and will be looking to bounce back after his first defeat when fifth in the French 2,000 Guineas on his seasonal reappearance last time.
David Simcock’s Dream Ahead is yet to run this season, but if ground conditions are suitable he too will line up tomorrow.
Marco Botti’s well-touted German 2,000 Guineas winner Excelebration, Japanese challenger Grand Prix Boss, Neebraas, trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, and Barry Hills’ Rerouted complete the line-up.
TODAY’S NAP: Silvanus (3.45pm Carlisle).
