SIR HENRY CECIL – ominously for his rivals – feels Frankel is getting better ahead of his bid for a ninth straight victory in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.
Cecil said his unbeaten mile is unlikely to adopt front-running tactics at a Qipco British Champions Day Press conference yesterday, but the legendary trainer thinks he has continued to improve.
Frankel blazed a trail when winning the 2,000 Guineas this season but was ridden with more restraint by Tom Queally when winning the Sussex Stakes on his latest start at Goodwood. He still demolished the field including Canford Cliffs and will face a maximum of nine rivals including pacemaker Bullet Train at Ascot.
Cecil said: “I feel he’s definitely an improving horse and I hope he keeps progressing – time will tell. 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 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.”
TODAY’S NAP: Millymonkin (3pm Newcastle).
