Frankel set for Ascot instead of Derby

Racing: Frankel will next run at Royal Ascot after Henry Cecil said that the remarkable 2,000 Guineas winner would not line …

Racing:Frankel will next run at Royal Ascot after Henry Cecil said that the remarkable 2,000 Guineas winner would not line up in the Investec Derby.

Cecil will resist the temptation to step the unbeaten colt up to a mile and a half at Epsom, instead he will focus on the St James's Palace Stakes over a mile.

The Warren Place handler said: "I think the Derby would not be doing the right thing. I'd want to give him a race before Epsom over a bit further but I can't do that.

"Frankel is very well, but we will take it step by step. You have to think of the horse and we don't want to be experimenting with him.

"At the moment, he is telling me not to go a mile and a half and the Prince (Khalid Abdullah, owner) agrees.

"All being well, we'll go to Ascot and then go from there."

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