[video=youtube;mr_ChX6Jv4s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr_ChX6Jv4s[/video] By the way, just wanted to add a comment on measuring how far ahead of the top horses he is here. If you just watch the race from start to finish without looking at Frankel at any point, it is actually quite frightening. What you will see is that you got a proper truly run race that went at a real gallop, St Nicholas Abbey sat absolutely perfectly and takes over from the pacemakers on the bridle, quickens away and is mowed down by a very good performance from Farhh, who proves that his steam train finish in the Prince Of Wales stakes was no fluke and that his rating is justifiably somewhere very close to So You Think. They clear away from the smart though not the very top performers Twice Over and Planteur by 6 or 7 lengths. Yet Frankel is an on the bridle hands and heels 7 lengths ahead of them. Absolutely breathtaking. Anyone who cannot see this superstars ability cannot be serious. I was one of the big doubters from his 2 year old days but this is an absolute champion. Phenomenal.
The one things that annoys me more than anything is the assumption that the horses he beats are no good just because he beats them so far. Be in no doubt that Farhh and St Nicholas Abbey are very good Group 1 horses and ran fine races in the Juddmonte. Frankel is just different. The way he just laughed at SNA was something to behold.
Agreed. I also had slight reservations as a 3yo but he has developed into a superstar as a 4yo. Just imagine him in Harbinger's KG. The mind boggles.
That performance was just awesome. Really was a performance to remember for a long time! I don't think he'd stay the arc trip to be honest, I think 10F is about his limit. A strongly run Arc, on soft ground is not something Mr Abdulla and the team will be interested in much I can't imagine! I could be wrong, and I'm sure they'd love to, but I don't think he'd stay.
Funny you should write that Toppy, I thought something similar myself after re-watching the replay. I thought "ooh that would have been a cracker of a race without Frankel in it". Then I looked at the distances. Then I looked at how easily he'd sauntered clear of them. Then I though "wow".
A seven length beating of a horse rated 124, even taken at the best possible rating, I think still wouldn't result in a higher rating than Frankel's current one. Still the best performance he's done for me, even including Ascot.
Quite a strong tip from Mr Pricewise, old boy Tom Segal, (who rumour has it has almost as many regular readers as me) in today’s ‘Weekender’ for recent Deauville Group 2 winner Masterstroke in the heat at 33/1 – expect a move therefore in the old market for this one. He says that Andre Fabre’s 3YO screams quality, is overpriced and has the breeding to be a major contender.
Novellist runs on Sunday, he ran at least half a stone below his best in the German Derby and still nearly won it, If they have him back on form here and I suspect they will, he will beat Danedream very easily and you will be looking at the new favourite for the Arc. A beast this animal is. Take the 25s for the Arc immediately.
Looks a very decent renewal this Eddie with Danedream, Novellist and Pastorius. The winner will surely be Arc bound (although interestingly an automatic Breeder's Cup Turf entry comes with the winner's cheque)
Christ you aren't still on about Novellist are you? What has he beaten? I just cant see the excitement personally and don't think he has the gears for the Arc. I suspect he would want it soft and just try to gallop, in which case he will get quite a rude awakening if he has to take Nathaniel on, who has won the Eclipse and almost back to back King Georges on unfavoured ground. That horse is 3-4lb better on soft IMO. The Japanese raider is expected to be quite a smart one this year, Orfevre. Last Train looked interesting for a lightly raced type and Imperial Monarch might be anything with a truly run race.
Will Novelist stay 12f as well as some in a truly run race? Interesting that he lost his unbeaten run on his first attempt at 12f.
[video=youtube;f824CU-F3rc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f824CU-F3rc&feature=related[/video] Just wanted to enjoy a real classic Arc and also bring up a Champion of Champions who has almost been a little smothered by Frankel Fever! Just such a shame that Frankel wasn't able to have enough time to get ready and win the classic middle distance races.
For those who saw Danedream yesterday and weren't overly impressed - the jockey was under STRICT orders to be easy on her and not give her a hard race. Only hit her the once and she was always holding them. I expect her to arrive at Longchamp in top form and should take all the beating.
Cheers Oddy. She's had a good season again really and she certainly knows how to peak for the big occasion. Surely one can beat her in the Arc this time around?
I'd love to see the Gosden filly Great Heavens have a go but it looks like she's going to the Vermeille. For me the Arc is between Nathaniel and Danedream but Pastorius remains an attractive e/w proposition if lining up.
I agree there Oddy. She looked a serious talent when she went to Ireland. The way she picked up was superb and she'd have to be as good as any filly I have seen this season. Nathaniel has a superb chance if it comes up soft. Bit concerned for him this weekend though over 10f on good ground in Ireland.
I was rather interested in Beauty Parlour as a live outsider, but it appears Sir Henry, who took over responsibility for the Wildenstein owned filly in July, sees her as a 1m - 1m2f animal.
I put up Orferve ages ago with Novellist, who has been one of the the disappointments of the season, he was hugely impressive early in the year and was considered the best 3yo in Germany by a mile. Nathaniel has no chance in a million years of winning an Arc, he wants running in a strongly run Gold Cup in my opinion, as Cheltenham would suit him down to the ground.
The fact that Beauty Parlour is 160/1 on the Exchanges for the Arc whilst only 20/1 with the bookies speaks volumes. I love the notion that Nathaniel has no chance at Longchamp on 7th October. The one that has no chance is St Nicholas Abbey. At least John Gosden was honest and upfront with the public before the Irish Champion Stakes. He said that the Leopardstown race was not the horse’s target and that the horse was a little ‘heavy’. That is better than Aidan O’Brien – he would have come out after the race and said that the horse was under cooked. Hopefully after the St Leger, the maestro of Ballydoyle will not be dragging up that old chestnut for Camelot – especially if one of John Gosden’s wins the race!