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/ Keith Melrose / 19 July 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Frankel storms to the 2000 Guineas in April
"It’ll be a long time before we see another win in a British classic as impressive as Frankel’s demolition job in the 2000 Guineas back in April."
You'd be forgiven for thinking that there's only one race taking place at Goodwood next week such has been the build-up to the Sussex Stakes. Timeform's Keith Melrose puts forward his view.
This Flat season has already provided some of the most mouth-watering clashes in recent memory, so it's pretty remarkable to note that we're yet to see the most hotly-anticipated of them all. The meeting of Frankel and Canford Cliffs in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on July 27 will decide who this season's champion miler, if not the leading racehorse of the year, will be.
The analogy with boxing in these big-race duels has already been made by Jamie Lynch in far better terms than I could ever muster, though it is worth pointing out that, unlike so many recent heavyweight encounters between human prize-fighters, both Frankel and Canford Cliffs have beaten credible opposition to reach this championship bout.
By now Canford Cliffs should need no introduction. After taking us by surprise somewhat in making up into the best 3-y-o miler of 2010, Richard Hannon's stable star did at the first time of asking what his predecessor Paco Boy failed to in four attempts, namely take the scalp of French wondermare Goldikova when they met in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot. That day Canford Cliffs gave what is becoming a trademark performance from him, his potent turn of foot from over a furlong out proving decisive as he held off the charging Goldikova by a length. He does of course arrive in this race as defending champion, too, having accounted for Rip Van Winkle on his first run against his elders last July.
However, it'll be a long time before we see another win in a British classic as impressive as Frankel's demolition job in the 2000 Guineas back in April and on that form he's the one to beat. Sir Henry Cecil's colt is a potential all-time great in the making, and if spread-eagling an up-to-scratch classic field isn't enough to at least make you consider that possibility, then we wouldn't agree on much. Tom Queally clearly thought he was sitting on something rather special given the aggressive tactics employed on Frankel's next start in the St James' Palace Stakes, when he sent his mount for home far too far out and held off Zoffany by only a fast-diminishing three-quarters of a length.
Predictably, the cynics were out in force after that run, but the fact remains that no other horse in training could have won that particular race under such a demanding ride. The Sussex was always a natural next step for Frankel, and it offers the added bonus of affording him a short break after a couple of hard races. How own generation is probably nothing outstanding overall, but so far ahead of the pack is Frankel that his first shot against the older horses really should hold no fears.
It seems harsh to say that any horse 'is no Frankel', but Canford Cliffs, top-class and admirable though he is, is no Frankel. Assuming Queally doesn't suffer another rush of blood to the head, we see no reason why next Wednesday will prove anything other than a corontaion for a once-in-a-generation miler. What's more, at the time of writing you can back Frankel at odds against. Expect black armbands and red bank balances in this corner of West Yorkshire if the horse we've championed since last autumn loses his unbeaten record on Wednesday.
Recommendation
Back Frankel @ [2.08] in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood
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