FRANKEL could have a crack at York Racecourse’s Juddmonte International Stakes in August.

The Galileo colt, who put up one of the most impressive performances ever seen in the 2000 Guineas when destroying the field at Newmarket last weekend, has been lined up for Knavesmire’s mile and a quarter jewel by trainer Henry Cecil.

The Newmarket-based handler ruled out a trip to the Dante in the wake of Frankel’s Guineas display – scotching any plans he may also have had for the Derby.

The St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot is next on the cards but then York’s richest race, the £700,000 Juddmonte International, could well be Frankel’s eventual target.

The three-year-old’s owner, Prince Khalid Abdullah, has sponsored the prestigious Group 1 contest for more than two decades but has never had the winner – narrowly missing out last year when Rip Van Winkle defeated his pair Byword and Twice Over.

“Frankel seems to have taken his 2000 Guineas win very well and I am happy with him,” said Cecil.

“We feel it is better to forget about an attempt at the Derby as he would really have to run in the Dante before Epsom and that comes too soon after Newmarket.

“I believe that he will get a mile and a quarter but I have my reservations about any further than that.

“At this stage it makes sense to stick to a mile and work towards the St James’s Palace at Royal Ascot.

“After that he will be entered in the main mile races against older horses and also in the Juddmonte International over ten furlongs.”

Cecil’s comments were greeted enthusiastically at York Racecourse where James Brennan, head of marketing, said: “That would be fabulous.

“Frankel clearly is a very good sort. He certainly looked it last Saturday and Henry has a holiday stud home in North Yorkshire and likes coming to the county and having winners here.

“It’s a very exciting prospect for August. We will miss him next week but whatever wins the totesport Dante Stakes will obviously be a very good horse.”