/ Timeform / 29 April 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Frankel: A red-hot favourite for the Guineas
"It is hard to look beyond the unbeaten Frankel with no concerns about his well-being, and he looks set to justify a tall reputation."
Timeform go through the runners for the first classic of the season...
Broox is a front runner who won three times up to six furlongs in France last year, when also second to Irish Field in the Prix Robert Papin and fourth to Dream Ahead in the Prix Morny. Even that form leads him with plenty to find here.
Casamento developed in a leading juvenile last year for Mick Halford, tasting defeat just once (beaten a head by Pathfork) and ending the season with a game success in the Racing Post Trophy. His new trainer has made a good start to the campaign and a big run is expected.
Dubawi Gold was promising for Michael Dods last year and has improved to land both starts in listed company on the AW for his current yard. He failed to settle when winning last time and a stiff mile at the top level may be beyond him.
Frankel proved himself one of the best juveniles for many years when a ready winner of the Royal Lodge and the Dewhurst in an unbeaten campaign. He easily landed the Greenham on his return and will prove very hard to beat.
Fury was unbeaten in two runs last year, improving markedly on his maiden win when landing the Tattersalls Millions here in some style. He looks an exciting prospect and is sure to develop into a better three-year-old.
Happy Today shaped better than the bare result when fourth on debut here in August prior to a routine win in a Bath maiden. He improved to finish runner-up in the Feilden Stakes on his return but looks to be punching above his weight here.
Loving Spirit looked a smart prospect when landing a 17-runner seven-furlong maiden here on debut last year and confirmed that impression by finishing second in the Houghton Stakes later in October, but his future lies over further than a mile.
Native Khan wasn't far off the best juveniles last year when winning the Solario Stakes and finishing fourth to Casamento in the Racing Post Trophy. He landed the Craven Stakes here on his reappearance but that form has already been let down and the chances are he'll find at least a couple too speedy.
Pahtfork was unbeaten in three starts as a two-year-old, lowering the colours of Casamento in the National Stakes at the Curragh on his final start in 2011. He promises to be better still at a mile and can't be ruled out with his yard among the winners. He wears a first-time tongue tie today.
Rerouted won a seven-furlong Group 3 at this track last season and was a good second in the Free Handicap on his reappearance, but he wears blinkers here and is likely to be making the pace for Frankel.
Roderic O'Connor stepped up on his maiden win when chasing Frankel home in the Dewhursy and landed a Group 1 in France on his final-two-year-old start. He is respected as the Ballydoyle number one, but it's difficult to see him reversing Dewhurst form with Frankel.
Saamidd made a big impression on his first two starts in 2010, notably when quickening smartly to win the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. He clearly wasn't himself when running a shocker in the Dewhurst, but has questions to answer now and Dettori prefers Casamento.
Slim Shadey's sole success in six starts as a two-year-old came in a minor event at Ascot and while he wasn't discredited in smart company afterwards, is clearly some way short of the level required to make an impact here.
Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Frankel
2. Pathfork
3. Casamento
Timeform View: It is hard to look beyond the unbeaten Frankel with no concerns about his well-being, and he looks set to justify a tall reputation. Pathfork and Casamento are closely matched and can fill the places, with the former perhaps the more progressive of the pair.
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