Frankel wins opening race at Royal Ascot, remains unbeaten

ASCOT, England (AP) -- Frankel enhanced his status as the world's top-ranked horse on Tuesday, winning the Queen Anne Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot by 11 lengths to improve to 11-0.

The 4-year-old colt, ridden by Tom Queally, started at 1-10 before beating 11 rivals in the 1-mile Group One race.

Expectations were high and his trainer, Henry Cecil, said he was relieved Frankel had not disappointed his fans.

"There's no such thing as a certainty. He is a great horse ... He did exactly what I thought but he's still improving," Cecil said.

Rated the best horse for at least the past 25 years by the British Horseracing Authority last month, Frankel tracked pacemaker Bullet Train before taking the lead three furlongs from home.

The Aidan O'Brian-trained Excelebration finished second, marking his fifth defeat by Frankel, just ahead of Side Glance.

"We were delighted with our horse but Frankel is unbelievable," O'Brian said.

Last year, Frankel won the St. James's Palace Stakes on the opening day of the 300-year meet.

Queen Elizabeth II, who is celebrating the Diamond Jubilee to mark her 60-year reign, arrived at the meeting on Tuesday with the royal family in their traditional carriage procession around the course.

The Queen has been to every Ascot meeting since 1945.