It's already been confirmed that Nathaniel will be retired to stud after Champions Day - he's off to Newsells Park Stud in Hertfordshire to stand alongside Mount Nelson and Equiano. Cirrus des Aigles is not currently nominated to Breeders' Cup. In order to be able to run him in the Turf his connections will have to shell out $290,000 just to enter the race, as well as costs of around $20,000 to ship the horse and connections to the US. I can't see them paying it.
Sorry to report that i am just down the road from the course and Ascot is under torrential rain at present, and i really mean torrential.
Can I just butt in and tell you all that it is pis.......persistently raining at Stick Towers (a mere stones throw from Ascot racecourse). You are all talking about soft going well at the present rate you will be looking at HEAVY. There isnt a horse alive or dead for that matter that should be backed at 1/6 in the sort of ground that we will be looking at. If I were having a bet it would be on NATHANIEL each way at 9-1 with Ladbrokes who are or were going 1,2,3. Running the risk of the wrath of Nass, an each way bet to nothing
Its all about Frankel for me, if the ground becomes very heavy that may scare of the really big punters. I can see 1/5 being available on the day, and i still dont think that will be value. I wont be playing but i will be praying for the greatest horse i think i will ever see to come through for Sir Henry.
I have to say i agree with Stick in as much as in reality you should not be backing any horses in such terrible ground but the idea of backing something at 1-6 is ludicrous. The way the rain has been coming down it will not be a case of who stays but who can swim. On another note Princess mentioned about getting a racecard signed by Sir Henry, as Princess knows as she kindly helped with some advice i now have a beautiful photo of Frankel bought from the Racing post website personally signed by Sir Henry himself. I posted it on a Monday Morning and it was back signed by Wednesday. A true gentleman is Sir Henry and i will treasure this photo.
Any chance Frankel won't run due to the ground? If he were a normal racehorse I guess this may come under consideration, but there would be such massive disappointment if he didn't run that connections must surely feel they have to run him?
From ATR this morning: Sir Henry Cecil "could not be happier" with Frankel as the clock ticks down to Saturday's Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot. The 10-furlong Group One is expected to be the four-year-old's final start before he retires to stud and he will be defending his 13-race unbeaten streak in Berkshire. He completed two routine canters on the Warren Hill gallop in Newmarket on Thursday morning, and plenty of spectators were on hand to watch his spin with regular work partner Bullet Train. Cecil said: "I could not be happier with him. He seems full of himself." The Ascot ground has been a concern for many of Frankel's supporters this week and after five millimetres of rain overnight, the going is now reported to be soft. There is the possibility of more overnight showers into Friday, but Saturday is forecast to be drier.
10 x 8 Ron http://photos.racingpost.com/media/...D8-m8kPs5LPhVChFX0c5Uv5dr1HTTRJvf4uxSYw6lg4.a I chose this one as it had a clear background which allows the signature to show up better but there are some very good photos on the racing post site and this was one of about 5 i considered. It is signed in the bottom corner and although i have not done it yet i will frame it with a nice mount and think it will look good.
From Racing Post: "Teddy Grimthorpe said on Thursday morning that no official decision as yet had been taken on Frankel's retirement. He commented: "Prince Khalid knows he's a public horse but he'll make a decision on his retirement when he's ready"
Final declarations are in for the race: Bullet Train Cirrus Des Aigles Frankel Master of Hounds Nathaniel Pastorius
Press Release: I'M SO LUCKY TO TRAIN FRANKEL - CECIL When Sir Henry Cecil saddles Frankel at Ascot ahead of the QIPCO Champion Stakes on Saturday (October 20), the poignancy of the moment will be far from lost on him. While racing has celebrated the superstar colt for the past three seasons, his trainer has lived and breathed every step Frankel has taken along the way. Cecil has masterminded the four-year-old's glittering career - and done so, in recent times, while undergoing extensive treatment for cancer. And just as the master of Warren Place has been there for Frankel, so the horse - owned by staunch Cecil supporter Khalid Abdulla - has been there for him. Cecil said: "I am so lucky to have been allocated Frankel to train. He has been an inspiration and challenge, which I really needed so badly. "Through my illness, I feel that the help from my wife Jane and the determination to be there for Frankel has helped me so much to get through the season." Cecil is conscious to point out that the Frankel success story is far from being down to one man. It has been an outstanding team effort with one largely unsung hero, in particular - Frankel's day-to-day exercise rider Shane Fetherstonhaugh. He said: "What Frankel has achieved during the past year is outstanding but I would not like to take all the praise. There are a lot of people at Warren Place who have all played their part with Frankel and I really appreciate everyone's efforts - not least Shane Fetherstonhaugh's. "This season, Shane has ridden Frankel entirely at home. I've managed his training schedule and preparation, but Shane has carried out the orders to perfection. So, perhaps, it could be said that we - Shane and I - have trained Frankel together!" With 13 victories from 13 starts, Frankel has one more challenge to overcome and ensure that he takes his 100 per cent record into probable retirement. This weekend at Ascot he will tackle the QIPCO Champion Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day. Cecil couldn't be happier with his charge, who came through his last pre-race gallop on Tuesday in fine fettle. Cecil said: "I was very pleased with Frankel's final piece of work. He gives the impression that he is better than ever and still improving. "I could not be happier with him. He seems full of himself and, considering the time of year, he is really good and healthy in his coat. He eats everything put in front of him." The one big unknown for Frankel is very testing underfoot conditions. The Galileo colt won on soft going on his debut at Newmarket in 2010 but has yet to be campaigned in bottomless ground. He assessed: "I am pretty confident he will be fine in soft ground, but if it's heavy we are in no-man's land. He has never encountered it and, with his action and turn of foot, I cannot be sure that he would appreciate it. " Cecil is full of respect for Frankel's key rivals - last year's QIPCO Champion Stakes winner Cirrus des Aigles and 2011 King George hero Nathaniel. He said: "It will be a far from easy race (for Frankel) with Cirrus Des Aigles and Nathaniel in the line-up. They are two good horses who will go in the ground and get the trip really well. They have to be really respected."
