Enable Returns in Star-Studded Coral-Eclipse

Enable makes her eagerly anticipated return July 5 in a star-studded edition of the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (G1) at Sandown, but her connections have stressed it is only the first stop in another ambitious campaign for their leading lady.

This was the stage for her comeback last year, when she beat Magical before going on to land the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes (G1) in a titanic tussle with Crystal Ocean at Ascot and the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) for a second time.

The popular 6-year-old has been off since suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Waldgeist in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), a race she was attempting to win for an unprecedented third time last October.

However, all roads once again lead to a repeat bid in Paris and, while there will sadly be few front row seats for her behind-closed-doors return, there will be thousands watching on with interest from home.

"She's in good form and is ready to run," said Teddy Grimthorpe, the longstanding racing manager to Enable's owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah. "Hopefully this is the beginning of a long campaign."

Earlier this week, her trainer John Gosden warned she may need her comeback run more than in recent seasons due to her age but she nonetheless remains a general 11-10 favorite for the Eclipse. 

She will bid to become the first mare to win the race twice and the first 6-year-old to win since 1886, the year the race was first run.

"It's inevitable that's always going to be an issue," added Grimthorpe. "Six-year-olds can take a bit longer and we've got to be realistic but John's happy with her and we're hopeful of a very good run."

It will not be made easy for Enable. Ghaiyyath is vying for top billing after an emphatic Hurworth Bloodstock Coronation Cup (G1) victory last month, when he set a course record at Newmarket and finished clear of Anthony Van Dyck.

The 5-year-old was following up an 8 1/2-length success in the Dubai Millennium Stakes Sponsored by Jaguar (G3) going a mile and two furlongs at Meydan and his trainer Charlie Appleby is confident in dropping him back to that trip.

"We've been delighted with his prep and feel this trip is well within his comfort zone," said Appleby, who won the 2016 Eclipse with Hawkbill.

Ghaiyyath finished 10th behind Enable on testing ground in the Arc but Appleby believes he will be a different proposition this season.

"He's put up big performances and not always backed them up but, as a 5-year-old, we're dealing with a different animal. He's the finished article and has come out of his last race well," said Appleby. 

"We fully respect Enable. It gives us slight confidence that Ghaiyyath has a run under his belt in Europe, but we are talking about Enable, so I am not sure if it is too much of an advantage against a mare of her ability. We all have her to beat at the end of the day."

If Ghaiyyath has hit the ground running this season then Japan has begun his campaign at a bit of a stroll after finishing a disappointing fourth when favored for the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot.

Still, Japan is a standout name in the field of seven on the form of his successes in the Juddmonte International Stakes (G1) last August, when he beat Crystal Ocean by a head. He also won the 2019 Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris (G1) at ParisLongchamp.

"Japan has been in good form since Ascot and we're happy with how everything has gone with him since," said his trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Group 3 winner Bangkok, Japanese superstar Deirdre, group 1 winner Magic Wand, and group 3 winner Regal Reality are among talented rivals aiming to take Enable down.