Cecil fear as clouds gather over Frankel

 
Chris McGrath18 October 2012

Even those who accused his connections of taking the “soft” option with Frankel are now wondering whether the appearance of the same adjective, in the official going report from Ascot, will entail a fitting measure of the unbeaten champion’s claims to greatness.

Having declined the chance of seeking out fresh challenges overseas, Frankel makes what is expected to prove the final appearance of a sensational career in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot tomorrow. But he will do so in more testing conditions than he has ever experienced in 13 previous starts, and his trainer today admitted that further rain could take him out of his comfort zone.

“I’m pretty confident he will be fine in soft ground,” Sir Henry Cecil said. “But if it’s heavy, we are in no man’s land. He has never encountered it and, with his action and turn of foot, I cannot be sure that he would appreciate it. It will be far from an easy race. Cirrus Des Aigles and Nathaniel are good horses who will go in the ground and get the trip really well. They have to be really respected.”

Ascot officials this morning reported another 5ml of rain overnight, and expect another band of rain tonight. But his jockey, Tom Queally, is as certain as he can be that Frankel’s brilliance is immune to conditions. “I don’t think soft ground will be a problem,” he said.

“Heavy might be a different story, but it was pretty soft on his debut and I was taken by the way he went through the gears, waited, and then kicked again. That’s not an easy thing to do in that ground.”

All things being equal, Cecil sounds thrilled with his colt’s preparations. In fact, he says that the colt’s likely retirement catches him still on the upgrade. “I was very pleased with Frankel’s final piece of work,” he said. “He gives the impression that he is better than ever, and still improving. He seems full of himself and, considering the time of year, he is really good and healthy in his coat.”

In fairness, many past champions have been hastened away to stud as three-year-olds, so Prince Khaled Abdulla’s decision to keep him in training at four must itself be counted a bonus – both for the racing public, and also for Cecil himself, who has been fighting cancer for several years.

“I am so lucky to have been allocated Frankel to train,” he said. “He has been an inspiration and challenge, which I needed so badly. Through my illness, I feel that help from my wife Jane and the determination to be there for Frankel has helped me so much to get through the season.”

The Newmarket trainer also stressed the teamwork behind Frankel’s blossoming. “What Frankel has achieved is outstanding but I would not like to take all the praise,” he said.

“There are a lot of people at Warren Place who have all played their part, and I really appreciate everyone’s efforts – not least Shane Fetherstonhaugh’s. This season, Shane has ridden Frankel entirely at home. I’ve managed his training schedule and preparation, but Shane has carried out the orders to perfection. So perhaps it could be said we have trained him together.”

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