Gosden happy with Enable’s recovery ahead of Arc

– Coronet was unable to deny Sir Michael Stoute his dominance of the King George Stakes but trainer John Gosden was warmed earlier in the day by the wellbeing of fellow filly and stablemate Enable.

Last year’s King George and Arc winner has not raced since

Ascot

winning at Chantilly, but that day is getting closer, although Gosden insisted he is not sure how close.

He said: “I was very pleased with her this morning when she was doing a half-speed. She’s in top nick but I’m not going to name a race yet. The filly can tell me; I’m not going to set dates.

“The most stupid thing you can do is force a horse. She’s had time off for an issue and what you musn’t ever do is name a race and try to fit the foot to the shoe. That’s the wrong way around. But she’s been pleasing me. This morning, nearly too much.”

Enable is entered in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on 23 August, which is now the target for Coronet, who finished an honourable, if nine-lengths-distant, third behind Poet’s Word and Crystal Ocean under Olivier Peslier.

Gosden said about Coronet, who finished second to Enable in last year’s Yorkshire Oaks: “The ground was a bit quick for her. But she’s finished third in the King George and, for a filly, that’s pretty damned impressive. We’ll freshen her up for the Yorkshire Oaks.”

A further three lengths back was Salouen, who could not repeat the form when nearly beating Cracksman. –