Another First For Frankel?

It would prove apt if Cunco (Ire) was to become the initial pattern-race winner for Frankel (GB) in Saturday's G2 bet365 Superlative S. at Newmarket, a contest that the peerless Juddmonte runner's late trainer Sir Henry Cecil dominated with a record nine wins during his career. Cunco, who was third to Churchill (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) in the Listed Chesham S. over this trip at Royal Ascot June 18, is likely to be ridden positively with stamina his forte. “Cunco is in good form and we are keeping him at seven furlongs,” trainer John Gosden said. “The Superlative is always soon enough after the Chesham, but the horse is ready to run again. We will see what the ground is like, but I think he will handle it on top no problem. He is nearly wanting a mile now. I've not done a lot with him, as Royal Ascot was not that long ago. He has gone the right way and we are happy with him. I think he is very much going to be a miler. Rob [Havlin] couldn't pull him up until Swinley Bottom last time, so that tells you something.”

Churchill's trainer Aidan O'Brien sends across Andrew Rosen's War Decree (War Front), who won over this trip at Leopardstown June 3 before being withdrawn from The Curragh's G2 Railway S. when the ground turned against him. He is one of five fascinating once-raced winners in the field, with Qatar Racing's South Seas (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) looking to put substance on the style of his eight-length success over six furlongs at Windsor June 20. “We will only run if we are happy with the ground,” trainer Andrew Balding commented. “I think he is a very high-class horse. He was very impressive when he won on his debut at Windsor and we've all been impressed with him at home since. He is certainly up to this level, but we probably wouldn't want to take our chance if the ground is very fast.” Qatar Racing's racing manager David Redvers added, “I think Andrew will walk the course before racing to see how quick it has got. He's a son of Lope de Vega and nine out of 10 of his stock like to get their toe in a bit. As he's such a nice prospect we wouldn't dare risk him on proper quick ground at this stage of the season, so we'll just have to see.”

Godolphin are responsible for two more first-time-out winners in the Saeed bin Suroor-trained June 6 Windsor scorer Bin Battuta (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Charlie Appleby's Boynton (More Than Ready), who beat some smart types over six furlongs at Goodwood June 3. “Physically he has done well since his maiden win,” bin Suroor said of Bin Battuta. “The seven furlongs will suit and we are looking forward to a big run.” Appleby said of Boynton, “I was delighted with his first run and he has come out of the race well. He deserves to take his chance in this stronger race.”