Nathaniel is set to have another crack at Frankel on Knavesmire

The prospect arises after the latter overcame an astonishing 266-day lay-off to win the prestigious Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown for the seemingly unstoppable combination of trainer John Gosden and jockey William Buick.

Both indicated before the Group One race, part of the Qipco British Champions Series, that last year’s King George hero would improve considerably for the run, and was not fully tuned after various training setbacks.

As such, a top-level victory in one of Britain’s premier middle distance races open to premier Flat horses of all ages, is some warm-up for even loftier targets later in the season.

Buick, a Northern Racing College graduate, is now one of the best judges of pace in racing and it showed as he hit the front turning for home and turned the race, featuring a quality field, into a test of stamina.

He gradually upped the tempo and had enough in hand to see off the sustained challenge of the Frankie Dettori-ridden Farhh, the Thirsk Hunt Cup victor.

Dettori’s acclamation of Buick afterwards was further evidence that Flat racing is witnessing a changing of the guard with the Gosden stable now in the ascendancy domestically.

Nathaniel was only beaten half-a-length when Frankel, Sir Henry Cecil’s wonder horse, won the first of his 11 races at Newmarket in August, 2010.

While many trainers are fighting shy of taking on Frankel, Gosden and Buick appear to relish the challenge.

Though Nathaniel’s primary target – fitness permitting – will be a successful defence of the King George at Ascot on July 14 over a mile and a half, two furlongs further than the Eclipse, York’s feature race is now entering their calculations.

“He’s a super horse, but it has been very difficult to get him right as he has had a respiratory problem. It’s two weeks to the King George and that’s not great,” said Gosden.

“He’s put in a massive effort here, so we will just have to have a good think about whether we run again so soon. It will be fun to take on Frankel once more, as there was only half-a-length between them in a maiden a long time ago. The Juddmonte would be an option, as would the Champion Stakes at the end of the year.”

As for Buick who has cut Ryan Moore’s lead in the jockeys’ title race to single figures, he showed rare emotion as Nathaniel returned to the winner’s enclosure.

The rider, who enjoyed five victories at Royal Ascot, said: “I have to say that was a fantastic training performance from John Gosden. To get the horse here in the shape he was in, all credit to John.

“He’s got real quality and he showed what a good horse he is. I have always had a lot of faith in this horse.

“He showed his versatility and all being well he’ll go for the King George again.”

Trade Commissioner appears to be another high-class handicapper from the Gosden stable after winning the Coral Challenge under Buick, while Nathaniel’s full sister Great Heavens won the Lancashire Oaks.

All three are owned by Lady Rothschild, whose horses are now unbeaten in seven successive races after Nathaniel won an Eclipse to remember and proved that he could, just, have the class to beat Frankel.

While one and a quarter miles on Knavesmire will be a gallop into the unknown for Frankel, he could just have a race on his hands if Nathaniel and that magical combination of Gosden and 23-year-old Buick continue to prosper.