Unbeaten superstar Frankel will line up against no more than six opponents when returning to action in Saturday’s Group 1 Lockinge Stakes (1600m) at Newbury.

“I’m pleased with the progress he has made in preparation for the Lockinge,” trainer Sir Henry Cecil said.  “Some of the opposition have already had a race but I feel he has done enough to give a good account of himself.  One thing I am pretty sure about is that he will come on for the race.”

Cecil is looking forward to getting him started again, and ultimately to stepping him up in trip to 2000m.  “He’s a stronger and more settled horse this year,” Cecil said.  “He will step up in trip later in the year but he’s got to tell us it’s the right thing to do”

If Frankel ends up sticking to a mile, the logical target after the Lockinge and the G1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot would be the G1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in August.  He is the defending champion after humbling Canford Cliffs a year ago.

A Sussex title defence could also involve a showdown with Australian champion Black Caviar who would be stretching out to a mile for the first time.

“I have been very impressed by Black Caviar and she’s obviously very, very good and very consistent,” Cecil said.  “I would love them to meet because I think it would be good for racing.  It would be lovely to have champions from Australia and England taking on each other.”

The Lockinge will be run at 12.40am (AEST) on Saturday night / Sunday morning.