Sandown is comeback target as Enable eyes Arc de Triomphe defence in Paris

THE CORAL-ECLIPSE at Sandown remains the most likely comeback target for superstar mare Enable, it has been confirmed.

The daughter of Nathaniel was just denied in her bid for an historic third consecutive victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Less than a fortnight later, Enable’s owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah delighted racing fans by confirming his charge would stay in training as a six-year-old – with a return to Paris in the autumn top of the agenda.

Connections decided against an appearance at Royal Ascot, but the owner’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe reports the John Gosden-trained mare to be firmly on course for the Eclipse on July 5 following a pleasing workout under Frankie Dettori.

“It’s been a gradual buildup – she’s a six-year-old mare, so I don’t think John wants to do anything too quickly,” said Grimthorpe, who is also chairman of York Racecourse.

“She’s always told us when she’s ready to go, rather than the other way round. She’s had a couple of good works on the Limekilns on the Round Gallop – nothing too strenuous, but Frankie (Dettori) sat on her on Friday, and I think was very happy with her.”

Enable won the Eclipse, Ascot’s King George and the Yorkshire Oaks en route to the Arc last year – and a similar campaign may be in the offing.

Grimthorpe added: coming (to hand).

“I think Prince Khalid is happy that we go to the Eclipse. She’s been in good form.

“I think it’s fair to say she will build-up towards the Arc. How she gets there will be up to her and John. I imagine it will be

“She’s a fairly similar pattern (to last year).”

Meanwhile, the breeding rights for Siskin, the imperious winner of last week’s Irish 2000 Guineas, have been sold. However, the horse will continue to race in Prince Khald’s colours, said Grimthorpe.