Magical has the speed to stun Enable
An enthralling Coral-eclipse rematch between
MAGICAL and the mighty enable (Sandown, 3.35) should light up the esher venue today.
Both are bidding to become the first filly to win the mid- summer feature since the redoubtable Kooyonga in 1992.
and past achievements and reputation dictate dual arc heroine enable is a warm order to land her eighth group One despite a 245-day absence from the track.
given the quality and expertise of her trainer, an eight-month period without top-level competition is not a huge cause for concern, especially as John gosden won this race in 2012 with nathaniel, who was returning from a 266-day break.
however, although enable has already beaten Magical twice in an 11-race career, there are reasons for believing aidan O’Brien’s versatile daughter of galileo is capable of exploiting any rustiness in her chief adversary’s make-up.
less than a length separated the duo when they met in the Breeders’ Cup turf last autumn. While enable supporters will suggest she might not have been at her best because of her arc heroics, Magical had ploughed through the ascot mud just a fortnight beforehand to claim group One glory from Coronet.
today’s 10-furlong trip is likely to suit Magical better than enable, who was beaten on her sole start at this distance, whereas her battlehardened rival has only suffered one loss in four starts over a mile-and-a- quarter, that defeat coming at the hands of the wellridden Crystal Ocean at royal ascot last month.
Sandown clerk of the course andrew Cooper is sure to have produced beautiful, safe ground, but there remains a school of thought that enable operates at her best with ease in the surface while Magical has showcased an explosive turn of foot when encountering a fast terrain.
Only a couple of pounds separates the two on official ratings, so with today’s conditions likely to suit a race-fit and hardy Magical, she looks the percentage call at the morning prices.
Sir Michael Stoute will become the race’s most successful trainer if regal reality, who has plenty of Sandown experience, can step forward markedly from his group three course and distance success in the Brigadier gerard Stakes.