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Frankel, So You Think headline Champions Day entries Juddmonte's unbeaten Frankel will be joined by stablemate and three-quarter brother Bullet Train in Saturday's Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, after Sir Henry Cecil confirmed both will take part -- with the latter to act as pacemaker -- in the one-mile contest at Ascot. "It looks like there are one or two good horses in the race, and no race is a formality," Cecil said. "There is no such thing as a 'good thing,' but I am very happy with Frankel. I also run Bullet Train -- it could help me, and it could also help everyone else, too. Frankel could take up the running at a certain time, but we haven't decided one, two or three things yet. I don't want it to be a crawl and then turn into a sprint, so it will depend on how the race is run as to whether it plays to Frankel's speed or stamina. Bullet Train should make it a true run race -- he will not go off like hell in front, but is there if we need him." Frankel's eight remaining rivals at Monday's confirmation stage include Group1 Coronation Stakes and Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois victress Immortal Verse and Excelebration. Godolphin still have Rio de La Plata and the reigning titleholder Poet's Voice engaged, with the latter also entered in the Group 1 Champion Stakes later on the card. "Poet's Voice has been a little bit disappointing this year, as against the form he showed last season," racing manager Simon Crisford admitted. "With each race this season he seems to have improved, and he is doing well at the moment. Now we have got to weigh which is the best race for him. We will leave the decision as late as possible." Champion trainer-elect Richard Hannon is doubly represented -- by Dick Turpin and Dubawi Gold -- and the line up is completed by Cityscape and Side Glance. Reflecting on the opposition, Cecil added, "I respect Excelebration and Immortal Verse. Marco (Botti)'s horse (Excelebration) has improved and looks like he adored the soft ground when he won in France. I think Immortal Verse won nicely last time when she beat Goldikova, but I have some line on her through Timepiece. I have assessed where we stand, but I am not revealing my thoughts." Ballydoyle representative So You Think, a last-out fourth in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, heads a cast of 17 for the Champion in the race's first staging at Ascot. The Aidan O'Brien trainee may be joined by stablemates Windsor Palace and Await the Dawn in the 10-furlong feature on Champions Day. Godolphin's sophomores Casamento and the unbeaten Dubai Prince have been confirmed as intended runners. "Dubai Prince is the one horse we have within Godolphin whom we have definitely not seen the best of yet," Crisford insisted. "He is a quality colt, and he is not going to bounce from his victory at Newbury after a long layoff because that was an easy win for him. He is definitely progressing the way we want him to progress. It is impossible to judge his form so far, and we don't know how good he is. He hasn't claimed any proper scalps yet, but he is exciting us and he belongs in that race alongside very good horses. Whether he is good enough to win, we will find out. "It has taken Casamento a few races to get back to his best, but he is a workmanlike colt who does not exude huge quality in terms of acceleration. He needs to be wound up a long way from the finish, but he comes into this race after a decent victory in France. Sheikh Mohammed will decide on the riding plans closer to the race." The race is deep in top-level performers, and notable entries standing their ground include reigning dual champion Twice Over, his multiple Group 1 winning stablemate Midday, the multiple Group 1-winning globetrotter Snow Fairy, Wigmore Hall, and French yardstick Cirrus des Aigles. The classic generation poses a serious threat. A five-strong team is completed by Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes hero Nathaniel, Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club victor Reliable Man and Jim Bolger's admirably tough Banimpire. With drying conditions changing the official going to good-to-firm, Ascot has turned on the taps in an effort to prepare better ground for Satuday's inaugural Champions Day. Further drying conditions, with the occasional shower, are expected and watering is underway on both the round and straight tracks. "The strong breeze has dried up the course in the last 24 hours, and this has prompted today's watering," Ascot's Clerk of the Course Chris Stickels explained. "I don't want to be putting on a lot of water on the course at this time of year, but we will monitor the situation through the week as the forecast is for mainly dry weather. I am looking to offer ground which is a combination of good and good-to-firm on Saturday."
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