O'Brien in thrall to Enable but has Anthony Van Dyck for King George clash

There was no mistaking the genuine reverence and respect shown by Aidan O'Brien as he stepped back from the Magical debrief in the runner's-up enclave to applaud Enable past him into the winner's enclosure after the Coral-Eclipse.

"It's a privilege to be here and see her," said O'Brien after Magical had re-enacted her showdown with Enable in the Breeders' Cup Turf over two furlongs further eight months ago.

"She's a great filly, we all know that," added O'Brien, but that is not likely to stop him plotting the superstar's downfall, which came into focus after Enable's next target was revealed as the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in three weeks time.

Earlier O'Brien had expressed his intentions to send Irish Derby winner Sovereign and Epsom hero Anthony Van Dyck to Ascot as he outlined plans for the clutch of Coolmore Group 1 performers.

He revealed Japan, winner of the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot after finishing third in the Derby, was heading to France for the Grand Prix de Paris.

Japan: destined to contest the Grand Prix de ParisCredit: Mark Cranham

Asked about the Derby winner, O'Brien added: "I think he might go for the King George with the Irish Derby winner but it is not really decided yet and might change."

Coolmore has history in trying to topple the greats to advance its own potential stallion roster, having taken on Frankel through his unbeaten career and trying to stop Sea The Stars in his undefeated three-year-old season.

As for Magical, another £161,000 took her career earnings past £1,733,000, and some well-deserved time off might have been earned after five Group races in the last three months.

"We might give her a rest and we were going to give her a rest after Ascot, but she came out of it so well, we let her take her chance and we were delighted with her – she has run a big race," added O'Brien.

After lesser Group-race success on her first two starts, Magical followed her seven-length demolition of Flag Of Honour in the Tattersalls Gold Cup with a battling second to Crystal Ocean in the Prince of Wales's at Royal Ascot last month.

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