FRANKEL FEVER

CUNCO proved best of the three sons of the mighty Frankel when they went head-to-head in the Group Three Classic Trial at Sandown yesterday.

Victory was expected to come from Monarchs Glen, the 5-6 favourite, but like his sire Frankel, the colt is a volatile character. Despite going to post early, wearing a hood, he refused to settle for Frankie Dettori and only beat one home.

But Cunco kept up the family honour when coming from off the pace in the hands of Robert Tart to take victory from Intern with Frankuus, the other son of Frankel, finishing third.

Since retiring to stud four years ago, Frankel, who commands a stud fee of £125,000, has become a sensational sire.

John Gosden, responsible for both Cunco and Monarchs Glen, said: “Cunco is the first foal of Frankel and was his first ever winner.

“He’s not very big but has a heart as big as a lion. I was not running him here for the fun of it. I told Robert (Tart) to just sit back and come late, which he did perfectly.

“He wants a mile and half. This was a stiff mile and quarter today as they have done a good job watering for the jumpers tomorrow but not for the dainty Flat horses!”

Spectacular

Frankel, officially rated the world’s best racehorse after his spectacular victories in all of his 14 races, never ran in the Derby but Gosden has not ruled out the Epsom Classic for Cunco.

“We are thinking about going for the Chester Vase,” said Gosden. “You need