3 minute read
Frankel completed his preparation for his return in the JLT Lockinge Stakes with a workout at Newmarket that left trainer Sir Henry Cecil "delighted" with his unbeaten champion.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Cecil resisted the temptation to work Khalid Abdullah's colt round the bend where he sustained the minor leg injury that put his training schedule back, and caused connections a wait of several anxious days for the result of a scan which revealed no damage to his tendon.
Instead, he telephoned Newmarket's clerk of the course Michael Prosser and arranged for Frankel to work on a different piece of ground on Racecourse Side ahead of next Saturday's date at Newbury.
Cecil, after saddling Chachamaidee to land the opener at Lingfield, said: "Michael kindly let me work on a very nice piece of ground and I'm very happy with him (Frankel).
"It's important for racing that he continues from where he left off - every sport needs a champion.
"At the moment he is on course for next week. Although he missed 10 days, I'm not saying he's not going to improve for the race, but I hope I have got him well enough.
"For any sport to have a champion, they (the public) follow them, so let's hope he continues to give them enjoyment and pleasure."
Cecil added that he is yet to decide whether to run Frankel's brother Noble Mission in the Dante Stakes at York next week.
He said: "He needs another race to sort him out. He's improving, but it's important not to over race a horse like him."
