Frankel Confirmed for Lockinge Stakes Return

A verifiable contingent of top class international Group 1 runners are set to put Frankel's undefeated career to the sword in his seasonal debut in the 2012 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. The date, confirmed for Friday May 18, is certain to be circled on the calendars of racing fans the world over as the current best horse on the planet takes on some of the biggest names in flat racing as he looks to get his season started on the right track.

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The multiple Group 1 winner is set to face the likes of So You Think – who has been contesting the world's richest races since leaving Australia last year. The AP O'Brien yard is also lining up one of Frankel's old foes from last year Excelebration, who remains in training and is expected to kick on well into his fourth year.

The pair are on the original line-up of 20 entries amongst several other very notable names from the international and English circuits.

Look for Richard Hannon to enter Dubawi Gold and his other outstanding colt Strong Suit. Worthadd, who finished second last year after a stint in Italy, will be back this year as well but will be running for the Sir Mark Prescott yard.

Dubai Duty Free winner Cityscape also sees his name make the list of probable contenders and he would likely run with the intention of beating Frankel if he were to make the race. Speculation is that Khalid Abdullah will only run Cityscape if he can't find another valuable race running somewhere in France.

Look for Frankel to go off at a very short price despite the stellar competition on offer. Estimates are that he will likely go off in the region of 8/11 on the day if no major negative news or form questions begin to surface. The real question with Frankel is whether he has really improved that much from last year or whether he was just very developed for a three-year-old. He does certainly look to be something special and the entire global racing community is eagerly awaiting his seasonal debut.