Frankel heads nine Lockinge nominations

LONDON, May 15 PA - Frankel is the star name among nine confirmations for the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Unbeaten in nine starts to date, Sir Henry Cecil's colt is the world's highest-rated racehorse and while he suffered an injury scare early last month, he is all set to make his eagerly anticipated four-year-old debut this weekend.

He is set to be joined by his stablemate and regular work companion Bullet Train.

Frankel's biggest danger appears to hail from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle yard.

Excelebration chased home Frankel three times when trained by Marco Botti last year, winning his other three starts.

He made a fine start for his new trainer when winning last month's Gladness Stakes at the Curragh.

O'Brien said: "He's fine. He's a very relaxed horse and good enough to compete.

"Marco Botti did a great job with him, but he's a year older and has strengthened up.

"It will be interesting taking on Frankel and if you know his achilles heel, I wish you'd let me know!"

O'Brien has also left in multiple Group One winner So You Think, but has confirmed he is highly unlikely to take part.

"We gave him a bit of a break after Dubai and we'll wait a bit longer with him," said the trainer,.

"He'll probably run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh (May 27)."

The Ballydoyle team have a third entry in likely pacemaker Windsor Palace, who shocked stablemate St Nicholas Abbey in the Mooresbridge Stakes last time out.

Champion trainer Richard Hannon has both Dubawi Gold and Strong Suit in the mix, while Charlie Hills has entered Saturday's Haydock winner Red Jazz along with Ransom Note.