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UK: Frankel installed red-hot favourite for Lockinge

3 minute read

Frankel was on Tuesday installed 2-5 favourite by bet365 and 4-9 by Paddy Power for the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 19.

The world's best horse illustrated his wellbeing at Newmarket over the Guineas weekend with a powerhousegallop under Tom Queally which suggested the unbeaten superstar has recovered from his injured off-fore leg.

Frankel's planned participation in Newbury's Group 1 showpiece is likely to lead to the entries being whittled down at the five-day forfeit stage, and a small field could be in store as there are only 14 remaining as it is.

One of those entries, Worthadd, willnot be lining up, as trainer Sir Mark Prescott revealed he did not fancy taking on Frankel.

The ex-Italian five-year-old, who chased home Canford Cliffs in the 2011 Lockinge, moved to Heath House over the winter following the retirement of his previous trainer Vittorio Caruso.

He was last seen finishing fifth to Dream Ahead in the Group 1 Prix de la Foret at Longchamp in October and is 20-1 for the Lockinge with Paddy Power and bet365.

But Prescott said: "Worthadd won't be quite ready to run against Frankel, which is just as well as you wouldn't want an ex-Italian horse to come and spoil the day.

"I thought Frankel looked amazing in his gallop at Newmarket the otherday and it is great that the public turned out in such force."

Second favourite for the Lockinge is Excelebration, who is also with a new trainer this year, having moved from Marco Botti to Aidan O'Brien. Excelebration showed on his debut for Ballydoyle that he will prove a tough nut to crack over 1m this term, the colt hacking up in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month.

Excelebration's stablemate So You Think is quoted at 6-1 by Paddy Power but 9s with bet365. Both firms make Strong Suit 8-1.

Other market moves centred on Chester, with Shubaat, who sneaked into Wednesday's Chester Cup as a reserve on Tuesday morning, promoted to 11-2 favourite by sponsors Stan James.

Bonfire, who is due to run at Chester on Friday in the Stobart Barristers Dee Stakes, was cut to second favourite for the Investec Derby, off the back of being tipped by Tom Segal in the Racing Post.

Having been 16-1 with a few firms on Tuesday morning, Bonfire ended the day as low as half that price with William Hill.

Racing Post Trophy and 2,000 Guineas winner Camelot heads the market at a general 5-4, with Akeed Mofeed, who is due to contest this Sunday's Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, third best at 14-1.


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