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Enable is the star name among 26 entries for the Investec Coronation Cup at Epsom on May 31st.
John Gosden’s wonder-mare has won 10 of her 11 starts to date, including seven Group 1 victories – the first of which came over the Coronation Cup course and distance in the 2017 Investec Oaks.
The dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine became the first horse to follow up victory in Paris with success at the Breeders’ Cup, and she looks set to make her first start since that historic Churchill Downs triumph at Epsom next month.
Gosden has also entered champion stayer Stradivarius, Winter Derby hero Wissahickon and high-class mares Coronet and Lah Ti Dar.
Aidan O’Brien is the most successful trainer in the history of the Coronation Cup, with eight victories.
This year, the Ballydoyle maestro has a seven-strong team at the first entry stage – including the last two winners of the St Leger, Capri and Kew Gardens, and top-class filly Magical.
Of Kew Gardens, O’Brien said: “He is in good form. The Coronation Cup is a race we are looking to aim him towards.
“I think the plan would be to start over a mile and a half somewhere, then take in the Coronation Cup before going for the King George.
“He stays very well and has plenty of options over a longer trip if we want to do that.”
O’Brien’s son Joseph has entered last year’s Irish Derby winner Latrobe.
Another trainer with a fine Coronation Cup record is Andre Fabre, with six previous winners.
This year the French maestro could saddle dual Group 1 scorer Waldgeist and the unexposed Folamour.
Also among the contenders are the Mark Johnston-trained pair of Dee Ex Bee and Mildenberger.
The latter has not been seen in competitive action since filling the runner-up spot behind Roaring Lion in the Dante at York last May.
Johnston said: “The Coronation Cup is a race Mildenberger could hopefully run in. We will look to run him somewhere else beforehand, but those big 12-furlong races are the target.
“He hasn’t been seen since finishing second in the Dante at York, but he fractured his knee at that point.
“We have been happy with him over the winter, and he is an exciting horse for the year ahead.
“Dee Ex Bee was a good second in the Derby last year. But we are going to step him up in trip, and he will start in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.”
Other hopefuls include Sylvester Kirk’s Salouen – who was narrowly denied by Cracksman in last year’s renewal – and the William Haggas-trained Young Rascal.
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