THERE have been few, if any, interruptions to the Frankel success story and, on the supporting Ascot card, he landed his first pattern success when Fair Eva ran away with the Group 3 Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes over six furlongs.

The jockey booking said plenty, with Frankie Dettori riding for Roger Charlton. Held up towards the stands’ side, Fair Eva (4/6 favourite) came cruising through to lead before the furlong pole and quickly sprinted clear to beat Kilmah by four lengths, with Dainty Dandy third. This looked a high-quality race for fillies and the first three will pay to follow.

Fair Eva had won on her debut at Haydock, two or three of those behind her subsequently boosting the form. Unsurprisingly, she heads the market for next year’s 1000 Guineas, though Charlton is the last man to get carried away this early. Even so, Fair Eva was undoubtedly impressive.

“She looked very good,” the trainer admitted. “She has a wonderful action and, like most Frankels, takes a bit of pulling up after the winning post.

“She could clearly go another furlong and let’s hope next year she might go a mile. She’s in the Moyglare, which Frankie mentioned as soon as he got off. I wouldn’t really want to run her on soft ground.”

The race in Ireland should prove most informative. Breeding experts will still be reluctant to commit themselves as Fair Eva is out of the Sprint Cup winner African Rose.

However, that makes her a half-sister to Hakka (by Dansili), who stays 10 furlongs.

Frankel nearly won the opener as well. His grey son Frankuus, taking his colour from the Linamix mare Dookus, was beaten only a neck and a head by 12/1 shot Apex King and Monticello.

This listed seven furlong contest, the old Winkfield Stakes, carries Pat Eddery’s name and produced a tremendous finish as Apex King, with plenty to do a furlong out and racing wide of the others, found an impressive burst for Andrea Atzeni close home. Ed Dunlop will aim him at the Royal Lodge Stakes.