Frankel faces a potential Royal Ascot wildcard in the guise of Temps Au Temps.
Undeterred by the presence of the startlingly brilliant 2000 Guineas hero, Classic-winning trainer Mikel Delzangles has given his colt the go-ahead for the James’s Palace Stakes.
Gilles Forien, racing manager for owner Marquesa de Moratalla, said: “We are definitely going to run him in the St James’s Palace Stakes.
“He’s in very good form and we could not be happier with him.
“He has lots of speed and lots of class and I think he will run with great honour at Ascot.”
Forien’s confidence might not be misplaced.
A Listed winner last October, Temps Au Temps showed marked improvement when finishing ahead of Wootton Bassett in the French 2000 Guineas last month.
Connections are also convinced Frankel can be placed under greater pressure than at Newmarket, when he spectacularly made all of the running.
“Will Frankel do what he did in the Guineas again?,” Forien queried.
“Maybe he will, maybe he won’t – it is very difficult to say.
“You should not be frightened of one horse and we are not frightened of Frankel.”
PA AAP TURF
