Frankel set to return in Lockinge

Frankel aims to go 10-for-10 Saturday (Frank Sorge/Horsephotos.com) The world’s top-ranked horse, Frankel, makes his eagerly-anticipated reappearance in Saturday’s Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury and is likely to be joined in the field by stablemate Bullet Train. He will act as pacemaker for Sir Henry Cecil’s brilliant and unbeaten colt who confirmed his well being with a good piece of work at Newmarket on Saturday. Aidan O’Brien has confirmed that Excelebration, and not So You Think, will clash with Frankel. The four-year-old chased home Frankel three times when trained by Marco Botti last year, winning his other three starts. He made a fine start for his new trainer when winning last month’s Group 3 Gladness Stakes at the Curragh. “He’s fine,” O’Brien said. “He’s a very relaxed horse and good enough to compete. Marco Botti did a great job with him, but he’s a year older and has strengthened up. “It will be interesting taking on Frankel and if you know his Achilles heel, I wish you’d let me know!” O’Brien has also left in multiple Group 1 winner So You Think, but has confirmed he is highly unlikely to take part. The former Australian-based star was most recently fourth in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup on March 31. “We gave him a bit of a break after Dubai and we’ll wait a bit longer with him. He’ll probably run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (Group 1 on May 27),” said the trainer.

Before Frankel’s comeback, racing fans will look to York’s three-day Dante
Festival, which gets underway on Wednesday, and should offer significant
pointers toward the Group 1 Oaks and Group 1 Derby.

John Gosden’s The Fugue, fourth in the Group 1 One Thousand Guineas, faces
five rivals in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes on Wednesday. The daughter of Dansili
finished off well to pick up minor honors in the Newmarket classic and she now
tries her hand over 10 furlongs in this recognized trial for the June 1 Oaks at
Epsom.

“She ran a nice race at Newmarket in the One Thousand Guineas, especially as
one ran into the back of her after a furlong or so, which meant she lost her
stride for a bit,” Gosden said. “However, she finished the race strongly and has
been in good form since.

“She lacks racing experience and we are keen to run her to see which route we
go down — whether we stay at a mile and a quarter or go a mile and a half.
Unfortunately the races come quite close together, but I’m happy with her.”

The Group 2 Dante Stakes often has the biggest impact on the Derby, and
Thursday’s renewal looks as strong as ever with Derby second favorite Bonfire
and Frankel’s full brother, Noble Mission, among the 12 remaining entries.

The feature contest at York on Friday is the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup, and Group
1 Ascot Gold Cup hero Fame and Glory could reappear in the 1 3/4-mile contest.