UK: Nine May Face Frankel At York

Friday, 17 August 2012: Frankel will face a maximum of nine rivals when he switches up to a mile and a quarter for the first time in next Wednesday's Juddmonte International at York.

Frankel Photo by Racing and Sports

Sir Henry Cecil's incredible star will step onto the famous Knavesmire turf unbeaten in 12 starts.

Timeform 's highest rated racehorse in the world is set to be joined by his regular pacemaker and three-parts brother Bullet Train , as well as his stablemate Twice Over , who won this prestigious Group One prize 12 months ago.

However Frankel's main danger will surely be the Aidan O'Brien-trained St Nicholas Abbey .

A dual winner of the Coronation Cup at Epsom and a four-time Group One scorer in all, the five-year-old got going all too late when only third in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot over a mile and a half.

He is likely to be joined by at least one fellow Ballydoyle inmate to ensure a strong pace. Robin Hood  and Windsor Palace  are the likely pacemakers.

Godolphin's Farhh  chased home Frankel  in the Sussex Stakes over the mile at Goodwood and is set to re oppose, but given the ease with which he was brushed aside, it would be a big surprise if he could reverse the placings.

Nathaniel  has won the Eclipse Stakes and was second in the King George this year but his participation has not yet been confirmed.

Cox Plate entry Planteur  and Sri Putra  complete the list of confirmations.

Sir Henry Cecil's duo Thomas Chippendale and Noble Mission feature among 11 confirmations for the Neptune Investment Management Great Voltigeur Stakes at York on Wednesday.

The stable companions fought out a thrilling finish to the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, with Thomas Chippendale on that occasion winning the argument by half a length.

But he will have to concede weight to each of his opponents on the Knavesmire and Noble Mission has since gone on to success at Glorious Goodwood.

Beaten just a nose by Noble Mission in the Gordon Stakes was Godolphin's Encke and he is set to reoppose.

Sheikh Mohammed's operation are likely to be double-handed after Energizer was supplemented as anticipated.

John Gosden also has a strong hand with Shantaram and Thought Worthy while Aidan O'Brien has three potential challengers in Chicago, David Livingston and Father Of Science.

Epsom Derby runner-up Main Sequence is a major contender in this recognised St Leger trial for David Lanigan.