Racing:Frankel did just what was expected of him by making an impressive winning return to action in the totesport.com Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
Henry Cecil's colt was unbeaten in four starts as a juvenile and headed into the winter as ante-post favourite for both the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby.
Sent off at 1-4 on his seasonal reappearance, Frankel was plenty keen enough in the early stages, with stablemate Picture Editor setting only a sedate pace.
The latter did eventually quicken up and Frankel followed him through with ease under Tom Queally.
As Picture Editor weakened, Excelebration emerged as the main danger to the market leader, and managed to stick with him to to the furlong marker.
But Frankel soon stamped his class and picked up in style under hand driving to come home with four lengths in hand.
Queally said: "He did it well, I think it's fair to say our pacemaker wasn't quick enough, but he did it nicely.
"I gave him one or two smacks as he will probably get one the next day. He relaxed fine, dropped the bit and when I gave him a bit of rein he did it well.
"It's his first run and he's entitled to improve a great deal from that, and if he does he will go to the Guineas with a great chance."
Cecil said: "This will have taught him something and I said beforehand whatever he did today, he'd come on for it.
"He's had a good blow and hopefully that will put him spot-on for the Guineas. Tom said he felt about 80% today but a couple of bits of work in the build-up should get him to much nearer 100 per cent for Newmarket."
The runner-up's trainer, Marco Botti, added: "We all know about Frankel and that wasn't a disgrace for sure.
"For me, our horse is best at seven furlongs and I'll have to decide whether we go for the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, or he is entered in the German Guineas."