Eclipse the new comeback target for Enable with Royal Ascot return shelved

Enable will not run at Royal Ascot next month, with the superstar mare's comeback delayed until the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 6.

The John Gosden-trained five-year-old has not run since winning the Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs last November and an attempt to land a historic third Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October remains top of her agenda this season.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah, said on Wednesday: "Following a piece of work on the Limekilns [in Newmarket] this morning both John Gosden and Frankie Dettori feel Royal Ascot will come too soon for her.

"She will now be aimed at the Eclipse at Sandown on July 6. Her main target remains the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe."

Enable was last seen winning the Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill DownsCredit: Edward Whitaker

Enable was initially touted for a return in Friday's Group 1 Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom but connections opted not to rush her back. They instead targeted Royal Ascot for either the Prince of Wales's Stakes, where she faced a potential clash with last year's Arc second Sea Of Class, or the Hardwicke Stakes.

With her seasonal return now pushed back again, Enable is set for a first appearance at Sandown in the Eclipse. Gosden has won the 1m2f Group 1 three times in the last seven years with Nathaniel (2012), Golden Horn (2015) and Roaring Lion (2018).

The best of the Classic generation could be in opposition in the Eclipse, although five-year-olds have a fine recent record with four wins in the last nine runnings.

Bookmakers shortened Enable across the board for the Eclipse following the news, with Ladbrokes and BetVictor making her 3-1 favourite for the £750,000 contest.

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