John Gosden is taking a positive approach to Enable's defeat in the Coral-Eclipse and insists he is “delighted” with second.
Charlie Appleby's Ghaiyyath took up the running after the first furlong in Sunday's Sandown feature and never relented as he powered to victory to secure a second successive Group One following his victory in the Coronation Cup at Newmarket.
Enable was making her first appearance since her runner-up finish in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but was unable to challenge the winner, finishing two-and-three-quarter-lengths back in second.
Despite losing her Coral-Eclipse crown, Gosden is in upbeat mood over the rest of Enable's season, with a third Arc success very much the primary target.
“She took it well, she had a good blow after the race,” he said. “It's always a worry when you haven't run since October and she was coming back as a six-year-old mare, but I thought her demeanour was wonderful.
“You are never going to catch Ghaiyyath round Sandown over a mile and a quarter when he gets a nice easy lead. He's a magnificent horse and a great galloper. To that extent we were delighted to finish second.”
Gosden is planning to run Enable in the King George before her proposed trip to Longchamp, although he appears fully aware of the horse to beat.
“This year you've got to look at the three-year-olds,” Gosden added. “For me there was one outstanding three-year-old performance in Europe and that was by a certain filly in the Oaks (Love).
“You start taking on a filly like that giving them weight, you've got a whole new problem on your hands. I think the Oaks winner would have won the Derby ? the only thing that would get in her way was if it turned soft or heavy. She's the standout three-year-old.”
