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Big guns all set to test Frankel at York

RACING: AIDAN O’BRIEN feels St Nicholas Abbey is still improving ahead of his mouth-watering clash with Frankel in the Juddmonte…

Wed Aug 15 2012 - 01:00

RACING:AIDAN O'BRIEN feels St Nicholas Abbey is still improving ahead of his mouth-watering clash with Frankel in the Juddmonte International at York next week.

The five-year-old landed the Coronation Cup for the second successive season at Epsom in June and was last seen when flashing home for third in the Betfair-sponsored King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

“The Juddmonte International was always on the cards for St Nicholas Abbey. He had a little bit of a break after the King George and is very well at the moment. We were very happy with him at Ascot. He travelled and quickened very well and we were delighted with him,” the trainer said.

Officials at York have expressed their delight at the prospect of last year’s Juddmonte hero Twice Over joining stablemate Frankel in the race today week.

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Twelve months ago Twice Over became the first Khalid Abdullah-owned winner of the race he sponsors when just edging another Henry Cecil runner, Midday.

York’s assistant clerk of the course Anthea Morshead tweeted: “How to follow the Olympics? With Frankel and Twice Over in the Juddmonte International at York next week!”.

Fears serious opposition to Frankel, the world’s highest-rated horse, who will be stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time, may be thin on the ground appear to be easing. Frankel, who went through his paces in the pouring rain up Warren Hill in Newmarket yesterday morning, is long odds-on to take his unbeaten run to 13 on the Knavesmire.

O’Brien’s Camelot remains firmly on track to bid to become the first horse since Nijinsky to complete the Triple Crown next month.

The Ladbrokes St Leger has been the target for the unbeaten colt ever since he added the Irish Derby to his wins in the English equivalent and 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.

O’Brien said yesterday: “We’re happy with him. Everything’s gone well since the Curragh and it’s a case of so far – so good.”

Connections of Energizer expect the German import to be suited by the step up to a mile and a half when he tackles the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at the same York meeting next Wednesday.

Godolphin nominated the Group Two, for which he will have to be supplemented, as a likely first port of call for the colt after they bought him following his victory in the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“He has settled in very well. He is a horse very much for next year, but I think he will run a big race in the Voltigeur,” said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.

“He was among the elite three-year-olds in Germany and his performance at Ascot was very good. I think the step up to a mile and a half will suit him.”