Sweet memories as Frankel lad returns to Ascot with Beat The Bank

Beat The Bank will be in safe hands in the parade for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Saturday as his lad previously led up the mighty Frankel who won the race in emphatic fashion in 2011.

Sandeep Gauravaram was in the privileged position of being associated with the late Sir Henry Cecil-trained legend throughout his unbeaten 14-race career which included two memorable victories on the Champions Day card.

After leaving Warren Place following Frankel's retirement, Gauravaram worked for Darley's pre-training yard in Newmarket for a spell before joining Andrew Balding early last year.

Soon after arriving at Balding's Park House Stables in Berkshire, Gauravaram was given Beat The Bank to look after and the rest, as they say, is history.

On his run of good fortune, Gauravaram said: "I suppose I'm lucky to be going back to Champions Day again with another big chance, although Beat The Bank does have Ribchester to beat.

"He's done very well so far this year and keeps on improving but it's a surprise really as I expected him to be top class next year rather than this year. I'm looking forward to it as Champions Day is always a great occasion."

Frankel landed odds of 4-11 when beating old foe Excelebration by four lengths in the mile contest in 2011 before returning to bow out on a high in the Qipco Champion Stakes 12 months later.

On his memories of the QEII win, Gauravaram added: "Frankel had a very good record at Ascot and I think he pulled a shoe off that day so you would have thought he could've been even more impressive."

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