Frankel can make it a day and a knight to remember for Henry Cecil

The plan for Tom Queally was to let him bowl along in front but in his wildest dreams the jockey cannot have imagined that they would be 15 lengths clear at the half-way stage. A couple of horses appeared from the pack to give vain chase but by then Frankel had gone beyond recall and was six lengths clear of Dubai Gold at the line.

Cecil says Frankel has thrived and strengthened since and, crucially, seems more relaxed after sessions on the gallops to teach him to settle.

Yet this is a highly fired-up racehorse with an impatient streak. If he pops out in front again at Ascot and is eager to race it is possible that he might resent attempts at restraint by his jockey. So we can expect him to make the running once more, hopefully at a slightly less frantic pace, before stretching clear in the closing stages.

The trick for the opposing riders will be to try to stay in touch this time. But those attempting to plot the downfall of a horse like Frankel know they might just as well try to catch the wind.

Dubawi Gold is back for another crack at the favourite while Excelebration, second behind Frankel at Newbury, has since won the German 2,000 Guineas in sparkling style.

The rain that fell at Ascot over the weekend will encourage supporters of Dream Ahead but he has questions to answer after such a long absence.

Defeat for Frankel would be a major shock on the opening day of the Royal meeting that promises the very best that flat racing can offer over the five days.