Frankel vs Camelot?

Frankel could clash with Camelot at Ascot
 
BY PAUL EACOTT 12:26PM 8 AUG 2012
 
FRANKEL could face the toughest test of his career on his final racecourse start with triple Classic-winning colt Camelot also featuring among a star-studded entry for the Group 1 Qipco Champion Stakes.

The world's best racehorse figures among 46 entries made for the £1.3 million event at Ascot on October 20, where he will be bidding for a second success on British Champions Day after a four-length win in last season's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.

Camelot is one of 13 entries for Aidan O'Brien, with other notable names including the likes of St Nicholas Abbey, Imperial Monarch and Power.

On the same card, the £1 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, sponsored by Qipco, has attracted 37 entries including Beauty Parlour, a new addition to the team at the yard of Frankel's trainer Sir Henry Cecil.

Europe's richest race over a mile could see Excelebration finally emerge from Frankel's shadow, while other exciting entries include Fallen For You and Farhh.

Rod Street, chief executive of British Champions Series Limited, said: "We could not have hoped for better entries and they set the second edition of Qipco British Champions Day up to be a 'must-see' event like last year's. 

"Frankel's final racecourse appearance will, of course, crown the day and he could face his biggest ever test in the Qipco Champion Stakes, while his likely absence from the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes should make Europe's richest mile race an ultra-competitive affair."

Darley July Cup winner Mayson, recently purchased by Cheveley Park Stud, heads 55 entries for the £250,000 Group 2 British Champions Sprint Stakes over 6f.

Last year's winner Dancing Rain is among 33 entries for the £250,000 Group 2 Qipco British Champions Fillies' And Mares' Stakes run over 1m 4f.

Gold Cup winner Colour Vision headlines 42 entries for the £200,000 Group 3 British Champions Long Distance Cup, run over 2m.

The two Group 2 races and one Group 3 contest all carry Group 1 conditions, with no penalties and prize-money consistent with Group 1 races.

I think Camelot will go for St Leger but a nice consideration

I meant to add and the Arc

Nathaniel likely to miss Frankel York clash
 
BY PAUL EACOTT 8:03AM 9 AUG 2012
 
ANOTHER potential opponent to Frankel looks set to skip the Juddmonte International Stakes at York later this month with John Gosden raising doubts about the participation of Eclipse winner Nathaniel.

Cirrus Des Aigles was ruled out of the Group 1 race earlier in the week and there is now a very real possibility that the best horse in the world may face a straight-forward task on his first start over 1m 2f.

Frankel was sent off 1-20 favourite for his latest start in the Sussex Stakes and with top-class opposition again looking thin on the ground his odds could be cramped for what will be his 13th start.

Nathaniel won the Eclipse on his first start of the season and was just edged out by Danedream when trying to defend his King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes title at Ascot a fortnight later and Gosden told the Guardian that a trip to Ireland for the Irish Champion Stales is "more likely" than heading to York on August 22.

"We'll see how things are and make a decision closer to the time," said Gosden.

"The horse is in good order but I want to see what the weather's doing, that's always important."

Gosden, who has been collecting Group 1 wins with regularity this summer, dismissed the idea that Nathaniel would head to Ireland solely to avoid Frankel. "He's a horse I respect," he said. "But, if I'm happy with the race and conditions, I've never in my life been frightened off by one horse."

Frankel is a best-priced 1-5 to win at York.