Maybe it's worth considering that Frankel was by the time of the 2000 Guineas already being spoke of as being a potential superstar and went of at a price of 1/2F on the day and that might had caused certain other horses like Excelebration to have swerved the race.

Another thing to consider is that although Excelebration beat Rio De La Plata by 1½L and with Rajsaman another ½L behind in the French race, Frankel had those last two named horses 7½l and 10L back in 3rd and 4th in the Sussex Stakes. So put Frankel a 4L winner in that same French race and there would not be much difference to how far he would have beaten the 2 other horse there than he did in the Sussex, allowing for some easing once they knew they were beaten anyway.

Rajsaman and Rio De La Plata then went on the be 1-2 at the Arc meeting too when in a close finish.