Queen of the Turf Enable Out to Shine in Coral Eclipse

The path to Paris and a tilt at winning the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) for a record third time starts with the July 6 Coral Eclipse (G1) for Enable.

She could have started her campaign in the Coronation Cup (G1) or the Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, but, perhaps showing her inner Goldilocks, it is Sandown's summer championship for which Enable has come "just right."

While the anticipation has been building ahead of her return to the course for the first time since early November, those closest to the 5-year-old have been keen to ensure she was not rushed back into competitive action before she was ready.

The test offered up by the 1 1/4-mile Coral Eclipse may not be perfect for Enable—being spot on for the Arc is her unabashed goal—but the Nathaniel mare is a formidable opponent for those brave enough to take her on.

Her record is outstanding, winning 10 of her 11 starts, including the Investec Oaks (G1), Darley Irish Oaks (G1), King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1), Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1), and Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) alongside her two triumphs in the Arc.

The only reversal in that sequence came when she finished third in a conditions race at Newbury in the spring of 2017, her only previous attempt at Saturday's trip—albeit it was also only the second race of her life.

It is also worth keeping in mind that Enable was able to achieve victories in the 188bet September Stakes (G3) at Kempton—where she beat future group 1 winner Crystal Ocean—the Arc, and the Breeders' Cup Turf last year despite not being at her best.

The vibes have been positive for Enable over the course of the last three weeks, with Frankie Dettori partnering her in impressive workouts under the watchful eyes of trainer John Gosden and Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner/breeder Khalid Abdullah.

"We have been happy with the filly, particularly over the last two weeks," Gosden said. "We're aware that she has not run for eight months, and we're sure the race will bring her on. Obviously, we have started her season deliberately halfway through the year since the main target remains the Arc. Frankie knows the filly well, and she's versatile as regards tactics, so I'll leave it to him."

The worldwide appeal of Enable means viewers in over 50 countries will be watching the Coral Eclipse, including Australia's leading free-to-air TV channel Network Ten, which will be broadcasting live coverage of British racing for the first time.

Seventh Heaven: Can Stoute Capture Another Eclipse?

No one has trained more winners of the Coral Eclipse than Sir Michael Stoute, who saddles Mustashry and Regal Reality in a bid to win the group 1 for a record seventh time.

Opera House, Ezzoud, Pilsudski, Medicean, Notnowcato, and Ulysses have all triumphed at Sandown for Stoute, putting him alongside Alec Taylor Jr. as the most successful trainer in the race's history.

Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (G1) winner Mustashry goes back up in trip after running below par in the Queen Anne Stakes (G1) at Royal Ascot, while Regal Reality steps up in class after winning the Matchbook Brigadier Gerard (G3) over course and distance on his most recent outing.

"Mustashry disappointed me slightly at Ascot," Stoute said. "He wasn't at his very best, and he didn't seem to fire. We've been happy with him since, and he's a very versatile horse. He's a competitor and he loves doing what he does.

"Regal Reality's got to take the next step now, and he's got a bit to find. I like the way he's progressing. He's a 4-year-old, the other horse is 6, so maybe he's progressing more. It's a very tough Eclipse, but we're going to have a crack."

Will O'Brien Cast an Eclipse Spell With Magical?

While Enable is stepping out for the first time this season in the Coral Eclipse, Magical is as battle-hardened as they come, and they are set to take each other on for the third time.

The score is 2-0 to Enable in that respect, although Magical gave her something to think about in the Breeders' Cup Turf last year. 

However, she was not good enough that day and was not quite at her best behind Crystal Ocean in the Prince of Wales's Stakes in June. More will be needed if she is to triumph at Sandown, where she will be joined by stablemate Hunting Horn, who will be ridden by Padraig Beggy.

"We were very happy with Magical's run at Royal Ascot. She came out of the race well and is in good form," said trainer Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking a sixth win in the Coral Eclipse. "Hunting Horn is a hardy colt who has done a lot of traveling in the past year. He, too, seems fine since Ascot, where he made the running and finished two places behind Magical."

Will We See the Real Telecaster After Derby Flop?

The Investec Derby (G1) has been and gone, and what happened that day is best forgotten for trainer Hughie Morrison and the owners of Telecaster. All eyes now are on the future.

Supplemented for Epsom after winning the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante (G2) in style, Telecaster failed to perform in the Derby and trailed home last, with a busy spring schedule, or potentially the razzmatazz of the occasion, getting the better of the 3-year-old.

Effervescent and ebullient at home since his Derby run, Telecaster drops back to the trip over which he won the Dante, and what Morrison wants more than anything from his runner is for him to show what he is capable of—whatever that might be in the context of this race.

"You couldn't say he isn't in good nick, but it was the same before the Derby," the trainer said. "We didn't get what we were expecting from him that day, but he's in good form and we're hoping he can show what he's capable of. It'll be noted that he's hot and on his toes before the race, but it was the same at Windsor, at York, and at Epsom. I don't think that'll beat him, and I don't think that beat him in the Derby—that's just him, and we cannot change that.

"We're coming back to the conditions under which he won the Dante, and we know those conditions suit him very well," he added. "What we want is to see him turn up and run his race, whatever that is. If he's beaten, then so be it as long as he's run his race."