There are two cracking races tomorrow, both over 1 mile and both with £142k up for grabs. Timeform have Frankel rated on 142, Goldikova on 133 and Canford Cliffs on 131+ This would imply that Frankel would easily beat these two and would establish him well and truly as one of the greatest. Yet HC has decided to go for what looks like a much easier option just over an hour later. We could read all sorts of things into that but maybe it's that HC doesn't think Frankel is as good as the Timeform rating (I mean how many of us do?). It will be very interesting to see the relative times of those two races, taking account of the way the races were run and the style of the victories. I think that could tell us a lot. I find myself thinking of what the excuses will be for Frankel's defeat; the going, the run of the race, ran too freely, took too much out of himself at Newmarket. Of course, I'm hoping he smashes the course record with his head in his chest easing up; but having witnessed so many disappointments over the years, I wouldn't put my mortgage on him.
Probably a bit scared that Frankel could not handle a couple of horses still going at him and not giving up however he runs the the race.Don't want to break his confidence yet,
Doubt very much if HC is "scared" about anything as regards Frankel. Cannot imagine anything being able to "go at him" over one mile as yet, although today might prove otherwise, but I very much doubt it. Ron makes good points, but I feel that HC is being wise with a still very young racehorse, and as you say, he "does not want to break his confidence yet"....
They won't let him loose like last time, will they? Will we ever see that type of display from him again?
Also your other point about the times is irrelavent, the Queen Anne is a straight mile, and the St James's Palace is a round mile. CC and Goldikova would have been blown away by Frankel at Newmarket
Leaving aside all the obvious mistakes and going back to the main point does Cecil think Frankel is overated I'd guess he does. I think his best miler before Frankel was Kris (I know he had Wollow but Kris always seemed better). Kris was very good and got a 138 Timeform Rating I think. Frankel would have to be extremely good to beat Kris on his best days. Cecil will know if he thinks he's a better horse. The 142 is just a temporary figure. They'll rein it in once they've had the whole season to look at.
