Frankel targets back-to-back victories in the QIPCO Sussex Stakes

Frankel triumphs in last year’s QIPCO Sussex Stakes – can he win it again on Wednesday? Image courtesy of racingfotos.com.

Just four runners will go to post in Wednesday’s QIPCO Sussex Stakes, with the brilliant, unbeaten Frankel, seeking back-to-back victories in the one mile contest.

The world’s best racehorse has scared away all but two challengers – the fourth runner is Frankel’s pacemaker, Bullet Train.

Nevertheless in the Godolphin-owned Farhh, the mount of Frankie Dettori, Frankel does have a rival to take very seriously.

There may be an 18 pound gap between their ratings with Frankel on 140 and Farhh on 122, but the latter, who has only had five races to date, is almost certainly capable of better.

He travelled powerfully into contention in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park earlier this month, but could not get past the top class Nathaniel and his stamina appeared to ebb away inside the final furlong of that mile and a quarter contest.

A mile could well prove to be his best distance and whilst there is little prospect of him beating an on-song Frankel, he might at least give the Sir Henry Cecil-trained superstar more of a race than he had when strolling home 11 lengths clear of his rivals in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot on his latest start.

Gabrial, trained by Richard Fahey, is another who may well be capable of better than he has shown so far, but he is 32 pounds behind Frankel in the ratings and will have to imrpove dramatically even to challenge Farhh for second place.

Frankel, meanwhile, is seeking win number 12 in his awesome career before he steps up in trip to a mile and a quarter in the Juddmonte International at York in three weeks’ time.

"Everything has gone as we could have wished with Frankel since the Queen Anne Stakes," said Sir Henry on his website, www.henrycecil.com.

"We gave him an easy time immediately after Royal Ascot before bringing him back into fast work.

"He has pleased us with his work and is going to the Sussex Stakes in good shape.

"We are taking one race at a time with him and are hoping that he can extend his unbeaten record."

However, Cecil will not be present, adding: "Unfortunately, I won’t be at Goodwood on Wednesday as I have been undergoing some treatment.

“Although I am able to train my horses I’m not quite fit to go racing yet, but I hope to be fully recovered in the near future."

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