PAUL HANAGAN thinks Frankel is a ‘machine’. But that won’t stop him trying to put a spoke in the works with Wootton Bassett in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot today.
The Warrington rider and reigning champion jockey watched on in awe when Sir Henry Cecil’s Frankel routed his field in a stunning display in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month.
He had hoped to be taking on the unbeaten son of Galileo with Richard Fahey’s Wootton Bassett that day. Now as Royal Ascot starts with three fascinating Group One contests he gets the chance in the third, the St James’s Palace.
Also unbeaten as a juvenile, Fahey’s three-year-old’s Classic preparations were hampered by a slight injury and he missed the 2,000 Guineas at Headquarters.
His belated return was a disappointing one when he was a bit too keen and ended up losing his unbeaten tag in the French 2,000 Guineas at Longchamp. He came home fifth, four lengths behind the winner Tin Horse.
Having provided both Hanagan and Fahey with their first Group One success at Longchamp on his first start as a two-year-old they were looking for big things from Wootton Bassett this year.
Hanagan is still hopeful of more success with the Iffraaj colt. And while he knows the task in taking on the mighty Frankel – who is a long odds-on favourite – he remains hopeful.
Speaking to the Daily Post yesterday the 30-year-old jockey said: “He is in great form. Obviously we are taking on one of the best horses in the country in Frankel. I just hope he runs well and I think he will. No horse is unbeatable, but Frankel is a machine.
“All we can do is do our best.”
Frankel led from start to finish in the Guineas, and Wootton Bassett has invariably been in front rank during his races. But Hanagan will wait to see how the race pans out. He added: “It will be an interesting race, tactics-wise. I will just have to play it by ear, and see what the pace is like. I am sure there will be a lot of pace.
“He was just a bit fresh in France, so having that race will have done him the world of good. Hopefully he will come on for that run.
“He has won on soft so the ground won’t make any difference to him.”
Hanagan has returned to his Malton base with a Royal Ascot winner for the past two years. He broke his duck with Cosmic Sun two years ago and last year Marine Commando gave his an opening-day victory in the Windsor Castle Stakes.
And he is hopeful he could have another today as he also partners Gabrial – owned by Merseyside-based businessman Dr Marwan Koukash - in the Coventry Stakes (4.25pm) and Worthington, who will bid to follow in stable-mate Marine Commando’s hoof prints in the Windsor Castle (5.35pm).
The former was an impressive winner at Chester’s May meeting on his debut and made it two from two with victory at Beverley. He steps up to six furlongs today, while Worthington won her only start at Carlisle.
Hanagan said: “We have got plenty of ammunition to go down with this year. It would be nice to get one winner. But it will be tough, it always is.
“Gabrial has done nothing wrong so far. And he is crying out for six furlongs. He just got away with it at Beverley. But he is a good horse and I think he is a massive price at 16-1 for his ability. Worthington is really laid-back and she is totally different to Marine Commando last year. She was very green at Carlisle, but there will be a lot of improvement from her and she could run well.”
After rain the ground for the opening day of Royal Ascot is likely to be good to soft.
