Fran-tastic!

The assembled masses at Goodwood yesterday afternoon were treated to a performance of sheer brilliance from the Sir Henry Cecil trained Frankel.  In what was billed as the "Duel On The Downs", there was only ever likely to be one outcome once Tom Queally committed Prince Khalid Abdullah's three year old for home.  The response was instant and decisive as he quickly put distance betweem himself and the pursuing Canford Cliffs.  While I was in the Canford camp before the race, I have to concede that it would have taken a career best (by some margin) for him to even make a race of it.

I think it would be fair to say that Canford Cliffs wasn't perhaps at his very best yesterday, although there can be little arguing that he was beaten by the best horse in the world.  I am delighted for Henry Cecil, and listening to the post-race interviews, it would appear that there is a chance that Frankel will remain in training as a four year old - that would be something for racegoers to really cheer about.

*****

We had a couple of runners in the Galway Plate yesterday afternoon and while Qulinton proved a little disappointing, I thought that Matuhi was in the process of running a great race when brought down at the final fence.  Contrary to reports in the trade press, I didn't think that Hadden had gone for everything at the time of his departure and feel that he might well have finished in the frame but for that unfortunate incident.

Today we have Street Entertainer competing in the Galway Hurdle.  It is a fiercely competitive race, but he has been in good form and ran well when a close third in the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen last time out under top-weight.  He only carries 9-10 this afternoon less Conor's 3lbs claim and we will be keeping our fingers crossed for a big run from him.