Frankel could gain unwanted record if beaten in Sussex Stakes

Frankel’s dominance means that he has scared off all but three rivals for the Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood and if he is beaten, he will be the shortest-priced favourite to lose in the modern racing era.

Over the hurdles at Kelso back in 2010, Zaynar was sent off at 1/14 for his final preparation race ahead of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, but was beaten into second by Quwetwo, a horse that was rated 27lb inferior.

Frankel is set to start at Goodwood as an even warmer favourite, even though his biggest challenger Farhh is only considered 18lb worse.

Farhh has not done much wrong in his last two starts when chasing home So You Think and then getting within a length of Nathaniel in the Coral-Eclipse, but is stepping back in trip to 1m for Goodwood.

However, the fact that he has not won outside of handicap company despite his worthy efforts in Group One company is a cause for concern.

Gabrial is 32lb inferior to Frankel and heads to Goodwood after finishing fifth in the St James’ Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, while the final runner is Bullet Train, Frankel’s stablemate and regular pacemaker.

The odds suggest that the race will be a procession and will act as not much more than a gallop ahead of potential bigger showdowns later in the season.

One such assignment could be a first crack at 1m2f in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York in August, where competition may include Nathaniel, St Nicholas Abbey and Carlton House.

Interestingly, Aidan O’Brien opted to remove all of his three entrants into the Sussex Stakes including Excelebration, who has already been beaten five times in his career by Frankel.

Strong Suit is another to have been taken out by Richard Hannon, despite the decent prize money on offer for those finishing among the each-way positions.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.