The nation’s bookies are divided in opinion as a war between Europe’s leading milers Canford Cliffs and Frankel becomes increasingly likely after their victories at Royal Ascot on Tuesday.
Canford Cliffs produced a dazzling display to lower the colours of Goldikova in the Queen Anne Stakes, while Frankel just managed to hold on and maintain his unbeaten record in the St James’s Palace Stakes on the same afternoon.
Ladbrokes have installed Canford Cliffs as the 8/11 favourite to defeat Frankel (evens) in a Sussex Stakes match bet, but rival firm Coral have Frankel at ½ and his opponent at 6/4 should the two meet at any point this season.
David Williams of Ladbrokes explained to Racingbase: "We had no hesitation in siding with Canford Cliffs. He was awesome in defeating Goldikova whereas Frankel didn't seem to have the breathtaking brilliance of his Guineas win."
However, Coral’s David Stevens was in disagreement and told us: "Frankel may not have taken the breath away as he did at Newmarket, and Canford Cliffs looked superb when lowering Goldikova's colours, but we would still favour the younger colt to come out on top if the pair meet, and let's hope we get the chance to find out, maybe in Goodwood's Qipco Sussex Stakes," said Coral's David Stevens.