Even though he has never run as far before, and is likely to
be faced by a small but select field, betting firms seem to be running scared
of the mighty Frankel, as he nears his first outing at 10 furlongs in the
coveted Group 1 Juddmonte International stakes at York on August 22, writes
Elliot Slater.
With pedigree experts, racing pundits, and bookmakers alike
seemingly all agreed that Frankel is likely to be as good over an extra quarter
mile as he has been in 12 stunning performance so far, the very best price in
the marketplace is 1/6 about Sir Henry Cecil’s superstar extending his unbeaten
sequence to 13.
However, some York Ebor meeting betting firms are being
particularly cautious, and only offering 1/8.
Of course, it would help if Frankel’s likely opponents would
stand up and be counted. In recent days, the likes of Nathaniel and Cirrus des
Aigles have been effectively ruled out of the contest, leaving Ballydoyle’s
smart St Nicholas Abbey, the ex-French group 1 winner, Planteur, and the Irish
Derby runner-up, Born To Sea, as the most likely challengers to the highest
rated horse on the planet.
Very good horses as the aforementioned trio are, they are
not expected to prove good enough to lower Frankel’s colours. Some judges have
strongly suspected that the 140-rated son of Galileo may well prove to be even
better over the longer distance than the he has so far at a mile, where he has
turned a long series of Group 1 contests into little more than exhibition
exercise canters.
Should one or more of the intended rivals to Frankel drop
out before the big race on the Knavesmire, it is not at all beyond the bounds
of possibility that Cecil’s pride and joy could be sent off at odds of 1/10 or
shorter.
Completing the race circuit in August will be the feature
contest at Doncaster. Visit the St Leger 2012 odds page for more on the popular
contest.
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