Frankel managed to exceed every expectation on a Newmarket afternoon crackling with intensity by producing one of the most staggering Classic performances seen in many years in the 2000 Guineas.It was not just the winning distance of six lengths which took the breath away but the fact Frankel appeared to have the race sewn up by halfway, with the colt passing his intended pacemaker Rerouted from the start.Tom Queally was estimated to be at least 10 if not 15 lengths clear with a quarter-mile (40

Frankel managed to exceed every expectation on a Newmarket afternoon crackling with intensity by producing one of the most staggering Classic performances seen in many years in the 2000 Guineas.

It was not just the winning distance of six lengths which took the breath away but the fact Frankel appeared to have the race sewn up by halfway, with the colt passing his intended pacemaker Rerouted from the start.

Tom Queally was estimated to be at least 10 if not 15 lengths clear with a quarter-mile (400m) left, sparking cheers from the crowd, such is the goodwill towards the unbeaten and clearly extraordinary thoroughbred and his trainer Henry Cecil, the racing town's favourite son.

Queally reported afterwards he was never worried how far ahead he was and although he bustled Frankel along for the final furlong (200m), the second and third home, Dubawi Gold and Native Khan, were merely a sideshow.

"That was lovely wasn't it?" said Cecil.

"We didn't want him to get out of his stride in a muddling pace and I've been teaching him to relax.

"When I saw him ten lengths clear I thought we had done the right thing by letting him stride on, then I wasn't quite sure but he had fallen asleep in the last furlong. He was waiting for them.

"It is a relief. It has gone right and he's a very, very good horse."

Cecil's honesty, eccentricities and affable manner has endeared him to virtually all those with an interest in Flat racing for decades and he was characteristically touched by his reception.

"I appreciate it, I really do, I get quite embarrassed by the crowd but it's lovely to be back here," he said.

"It's difficult to compare the different years and generations together but to have these great horses is very important.

"We've had horses like Arkle, Mill Reef and Sea The Stars over the years and it's good for the racing public, they love a champion."

Frankel is already a very short price for the Derby in June and Cecil is now considering his next move, which could mean running in the Dante Stakes at York on Thursday week.

"He is in the Dante, so we'll see how he comes out of this and what we want to do," he said.

"Whether he'll get a mile and a half is another matter.

"If he's more of a miler, there is the St James's Palace Stakes, so we'll leave all options open.

"If he's very well and he ran in the Dante, then we'd know where we're going. I could easily bring him back a couple of furlongs at Ascot.

"The main thing is to do the right thing and see how he is, so I'm not saying he'll definitely run."

It was the 26-year-old Queally's first Classic, compensation for Jacqueline Quest losing last year's 1000 in the stewards' room.