Coral-Eclipse report and replay: Relentless Ghaiyyath gallops to glory over Enable
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Watch how the Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old won a memorable renewal of the Sandown showpiece on Sunday.
Ghaiyyath wrested away Enable's Coral-Eclipse crown with a relentless front-running victory at Sandown.
Charlie Appleby's remorseless galloper led after the first furlong and was never headed as he added his second successive Group One following last month's success in the Coronation Cup at Newmarket.
Enable, having her first run of the campaign and absent since finishing a gallant second in last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, was held up off the pace by Frankie Dettori and could never get to the winner - eventually finishing a two-and-a-quarter-length runner-up.
Charlie Appleby tells Lydia Hislop about Ghaiyyath's success
Just like at Newmarket, Ghaiyyath and William Buick refused to yield and won at 9-4 from John Gosden's even-money favourite.
Buick said: "He's got a huge cruising speed and he knows how to use it. He had won over a mile and a quarter, at Group Two level, but it was his first go over a mile and a quarter in a Group One and he was in a nice rhythm the whole way.
"Charlie had him in great shape. We were obviously concerned about Enable coming into the race, but it was her first run of the season and I'm sure she'll improve from the race.
"As a horse, you go with what Ghaiyyath wants to do - he's not a horse who likes to be controlled. You just sit against him, let him use his huge stride and go when he's ready.
"He's a joy to ride and a very, very good horse. As a five-year-old he's mature physically and mentally - he's becoming the finished article.
"I think a mile and a quarter will be his optimum trip - he's very fast. Sometimes when you ride him over a mile and a half you're always worried the last furlong is going to be a long one, but he keeps going.
"He's obviously very effective over both distances."
Gosden, meanwhile, described Enable's performance in defeat as the "perfect platform" to head to Ascot's King George at the end of this month.
"I'm delighted with her," he said. "She ran a gorgeous race. We know Ghaiyyath - and as I warned everybody, it is a great front-runners' track, Sandown.
"If he gets free on the front, he is a fabulous horse, you are never going to get to him. We found that out in the Coronation.
"(But) she has put in a perfect performance and has come with a lovely run. I'm delighted with the way she came there.
"Frankie said the last half a furlong she just needed it, so he looked after her. It is the perfect platform we were looking for, for the King George.
"She is an older mare now - and it has taken a great deal more to get her to this point - but she has run a beautiful race, and I couldn't be more thrilled with her."
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