Frankel: thrashed regular work partner Bullet Train in racecourse gallop
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Frankel flyingin advance of Lockinge Stakes return
FRANKEL was on Saturday afforded the luxury of using the Rowley Mile racecourse for the second time within a week, as trainer Sir Henry Cecil sought further match practice in advance of his return in the Group 1 JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury next Saturday.
The world's highest-rated racehorse was cut to 2-5 (from 4-9) by Paddy Power for the Lockinge in seven days after bounding eight lengths clear of his three parts-brother Bullet Train in the hands of regular rider Shane Featherstonhaugh.
Cecil, speaking atLingfield in the afternoon, said: "Michael [Prosser, Newmarket clerk of the course] kindly let me work on a very nice piece of ground and I'm very happy with Frankel.
"It's important for racing he continues from where he left off - every sport needs a champion - and at the moment he is on course for next week."
Cecil, whose charge appears fully recovered from the off-foreinjury he suffered on the gallops, added: "I'm not saying he's not going to improve for the race but I hope I have got him well enough."
Cecil has yet to decide whether to run Frankel's brother Noble Mission in the Betfred Dante Stakes at York on Thursday, for which his odds range from 4-1 (Betfred) to 7-1 (Paddy Power).
He said: "He's improving but it's important not to overface a horse like him."
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