Nathaniel, Danedream and Frankel vye for performance of the month

16 AUG 2012 | RACENEWSONLINE.COM The third public vote has opened today for the QIPCO British Champions Series Performance of the Month with Nathaniel’s Coral-Eclipse triumph, Danedream’s Betfair King George victory and Frankel’s second QIPCO Sussex Stakes win nominated by the expert panel. Michael Owen is the strongest advocate of Nathaniel’s Coral-Eclipse performance, saying: “I had considered him as more of a 1m4f specialist going into the Eclipse, but he coped well with the drop in trip and emerged with great credit after fending off a determined challenge from runner-up, Farhh. Huge credit too to John Gosden for readying Nathaniel to run up to his best.” Danedream’s gutsy performance in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes sponsored by Betfair earned Cornelius Lysaght’s vote: “In the year of Frankel, Black Caviar and Camelot, it’s hard for anyone else to get a look-in but Danedream completed the rare  Arc de Triomphe / King George double defeating a stellar field in stunning style.” It was likewise the choice of Lee Mottershead, who summed the three performances up as follows: “Frankel’s Sussex success was as breathtaking as his two earlier wins this year, but while he beat Farhh at Goodwood by further than Nathaniel did at Sandown, John Gosden’s four-year-old was making his seasonal reappearance without perhaps being even cherry ripe for his opening assignment. “Nathaniel so nearly followed up in the King George and it is Danedream, his narrow avenger on that occasion, who, in my opinion, produced the performance of QIPCO British Champion Series’ third month. “To capture both the Arc and King George, two of international Flat racing’s most celebrated and hotly-contested events, is a spectacular achievement. At Longchamp she was brilliant. At Ascot she was brilliant and courageous. For her talent and tenacity she easily wins my vote.” Frankel also had two advocates, with Nick Luck saying: “Frankel – again, few prizes for originality, but this horse continues to redefine what you imagine possible in a thoroughbred.” Alex Hammond concurred, saying: “In top spot it’s Frankel again for me! I know he didn’t face a tough task in winning the QIPCO Sussex Stakes, but you can only beat what is put in front of you and Farhh is a smart performer, but he makes smart horses look ordinary. “Sir Henry Cecil’s magnificent colt didn’t come out of third gear and it looks a great prep ahead of the Juddmonte International Stakes at York later this month.”