Frankel takes centre stage
October 20, 2012 09:14:54 UK
Frankel takes centre stage on Champions Day at Ascot this afternoon but race fans will be better off looking elsewhere as they bid to make a profit on a star-studded day.
And Donald McCain's decision to take on the best distance horses around in the 1.45 could be crucial as his Ile De Re could be highly significant.
The horse was a revelation when lifting the Chester Cup and Northumberland Plate and will revel in the underfoot conditions as he takes on the likes of Opinion Poll, Fame and Glory and Saddler's Rock.
Dermot Weld brings his highly promising Sapphire to the meeting and he looks the one on which to risk an investment against Great Heavens who may be the main rival.
However, John Gosden's horse certainly didn't enjoy the same sort of conditions in the Prix de l'Arc De Triomphe and Weld's two-time winner and runner-up this term is a confirmed mud-lark.
Frankel - 3.00 to win the Champion Stakes by under four lengths - will never have found such conditions and will almost certainly definitely run despite noises from the owners that they need to know the deteriorating ground is safe.
French colt Cirrus Des Aigles (5.50) will be well suited by the soft ground as will Nathaniel (10.00), whose jockey Will Buick has already admitted to having mixed feelings about seeing Sir Henry Cecil's legend beaten today.
He said: "A little part of me would hate to see him beaten because he's been such a great horse for the sport."
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