Frankel to Face Stiff Challenge in Champion

FRANKEL'S last test will be his toughest according to Teddy Grimthorpe as the world's best horse prepares to take to the racecourse for the final time in the Qipco Champion Stakes on Saturday.

Unbeaten in 13 starts, over distances ranging from 7f to 1m2½f, on good, soft and good to firm going, Frankel is nevertheless expected to be challenged like never before at Ascot with last year's winner Cirrus Des Aigles leading the opposition.

With Nathaniel, Declaration Of War, Ridasiyna, Master Of Hounds and Pastorius likely to form the rest of the rivals - with Bullet Train thrown in as an ally to his little brother - Frankel is unlikely to be given an easy run to go out on.

Asked if the Champion Stakes was the biggest test Frankel would have faced, Grimthorpe, racing manager to the four-year-old's owner and breeder Khalid Abdullah, said: "Certainly is. It's building up to be a really true test for him. I think it's exciting. I've always come into this with the attitude that we have to enjoy him. The horse has done everything that we could possibly have dreamt about and I hope he'll run a huge race on Saturday."