Dual Arc winning heroine Enable was described as "coming along nicely" by rider Frankie Dettori ahead of her seasonal debut in the Group One Coral Eclipse at Sandown on Saturday afternoon.
Enable missed her Royal Ascot engagement but Frankie said she is "going well" when speaking on Sandown Park social media. Enable will bid to emulate her sire Nathaniel when attempting to win the Sandown summer feature Group One on seasonal reappearance.
.@FrankieDettori on Enable in the Coral-Eclipse in just five days 💫
Will you be watching? 👀 pic.twitter.com/tnvpxo7CAN— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) July 1, 2019
Saturday will be the first step on a journey for Enable and her connections that is scheduled to lead to a historic third Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe next October. Enable became only the second dual winner of the race this century when winning last season. No horse has ever won the Arc three times.
Seasonal Debut
Saturday will be the mare's first run since winning at The Breeders' Cup at Churchill Downs last November. She created history that evening under the Twin Spires by becoming the first to ever win both the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the Breeders Cup Turf.
At the five day stage, there were 12 left in opposition to John Gosden' superstar. The Aidan O'Brien trained Magical who got closest to Enable at Churchill Downs is next in the market. Circus Maximus is the other potential Ballydoyle representative. He will be stepping back up in trip having won the St James Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot over a mile.
The Hughie Morrison trained Telecaster may use the Eclipse to get back on track. The Dante winner didn't appear to handle Epsom and his form was boosted by the win of Japan at Royal Ascot. Connections are reportedly confident the colt still has a big race in him.
History
Sir Michael Stoute is the most successful trainer of winners in the race having won it six times. He may saddle Lockinge winner Mustashry, while Regal Reality is a shorter price in the betting. Kerrin McEvoy is declared to ride Regal Reality. This son of Intello was an impressive winner over course and distance when last seen. Regal Reality looked a typical Michael Stoute improver when winning the Brigadier Gerrard in May.
Enable hasn't tasted defeat since April 2017, but also hasn't run in 245 days. The daughter of Nathaniel will be facing race-fit rivals and is a notoriously lazy worker. Enable though, is the best horse in the race and possibly the best horse in training. The Eclipse can be the start of a record-breaking season.
