Enable has one eye on Arc

JOHN GOSDEN is taking nothing for granted despite Enable appearing to face a relatively straightforward task on what is set to be her British swansong in the Unibet September Stakes at Kempton today.

The dual Arc heroine was kept in training as a six-year-old with the objective of becoming the first three-time winner of Europe’s premier middle-distance contest, having been denied by Waldgeist when pursuing the hat-trick last year. After chasing home Ghaiyyath on her reappearance in the Coral-Eclipse, Enable appeared back to her brilliant best when landing a historic third win in the King George at Ascot in July, after which she was expected to head to the Ebor Festival at York.

However, with a return to Paris at the forefront of their minds, connections opted to run in the same all-weather Group Three event the great mare won en route to Arc glory in 2018.

The top-class Crystal Ocean was among her beaten rivals two years ago — and while there is perhaps nothing of his calibre in the field this weekend, Gosden said: ‘I always respect the opposition — I’ve learnt down the years you better!

‘We let her down after Ascot and brought her back up again. The timing has worked well and this race also works well on timing in that it’s nicely four weeks from the Arc. It’s all about trying to set her up for the Arc.’

With Frankie Dettori in the saddle, Enable will be odds-on to continue her march towards ParisLongchamp with a 15th career victory from 18 starts.

‘I rode Enable on Wednesday. She did a nice piece of work by herself and we’re all set for the September Stakes,’ Dettori said in his Sporting Index blog.

‘She’s obviously well clear of the field on ratings and I’ll use my instinct on the day as to how much I have to push her.

‘She felt very straightforward on the gallops and this should be a nice stepping stone to the Arc. The timing is good and fingers crossed the dream is still alive after the weekend.’