Frankel scores a perfect 10 in Lockinge

Familiar foe Excelebration, who had been tracking the prohibitive favorite

throughout, could not match his devastating change of gear. Falling ever farther

behind, Excelebration was once again forced to watch Frankel from a distance in

the runner-up spot.

"He's grown up from last year -- he's thicker set," Queally told PA Sport.

"If you look at him now, he's the real deal -- he's filled out since last year.

"He showed that burst of acceleration. He's not like anything I've sat on

before."

"He has definitely got stronger this year," Cecil said, "and you have to be

thrilled with him as when you have a hiccup in the lead-up to the race then it

is not very funny, and it has not been straightforward.

"He has had a good blow afterwards and, looking at his career so far, he has

always improved from his first race and you would expect him to do the same."

The field was well strung out behind him. Another Frankel punching bag,

Dubawi Gold, checked in another four lengths back in third. At intervals came

Bullet Train, Ransom Note and Excelebration's stablemate Windsor Palace, who appeared to be a rabbit but never made an effort for

the lead. As expected, Strong Suit was scratched on account of the unsuitable

ground.

Frankel's resume boasts victories in the Group 1 Dewhurst and Group 2 Royal

Lodge at two, along with the Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas, Group 1 St James's

Palace and Group 1 Sussex at three, in addition to the aforementioned Greenham

and QEII.

Owner/breeder Prince Khalid Abdulla sportingly kept Frankel in training for a

2012 campaign. But his four-year-old season was almost over before it began, for

he struck himself in training and sustained an injury in early April. Rumors of

an imminent retirement were quashed, but further diagnostic testing was

necessary to make sure that the setback was indeed minor. Thankfully, Frankel

was cleared to continue his conquests.

Yet to race beyond a mile, Frankel is expected to stretch out to 1 1/4 miles

at some point this season. His next port of call is Royal Ascot, either for the

Group 1 Queen Anne at a mile on June 19 or the Group 1 Prince of Wales's over 10

furlongs the next day.

"He's in the two at Ascot and we'll take it step by step," Cecil said, adding

that he's "more likely" to be seen in the Queen Anne.

"If we stick to a mile there (at Royal Ascot), he may be ready to step up in

August or September time. Time will tell.

"The last few weeks have not been very straightforward, and I am very happy

for the Prince and I am very lucky to have the horse.

"It is lovely for racing and thank goodness that he came through the setback.

"Every sport, they need a champion. It gets everyone involved and it's good

for racing."