ENABLE’S ASCOT POINTER

ENABLE (York, 3.35), the pre-eminent three-year-old of the season, will strive to tighten still further her vice-like grip on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe betting with victory in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks today. John Gosden’s filly is priced as short as even money with Corals for the end-ofseason French feature, odds which look generous compared to the price on offer for her to complete a Group One fourtimer on the Knavesmire today. It is clearly understandable the layers are keen to swerve the outstanding daughter of Nathaniel given the handsome boost her King George romp at Ascot received on day one of the Ebor meeting. Ulysses, dismissed imperiously by Enable three weeks ago, made short work of talented rivals in yesterday’s Juddmonte International, a performance which emphasised the true brilliance of the prohibitively-priced Arc favourite at Ascot. The dual Oaks winner faces nothing of the magnitude of Ulysses among today’s five rivals, even if Nezwaah and Queen’s Trust are classy fillies in their own right. Neither should be capable of keeping tabs on Enable if she is in the same form as Ascot and this race looks to fit into her schedule perfectly with a trip to Paris in the autumn very much on the agenda. Thankfully, there are one or two more competitive events for punters this afternoon and VICTORY BOND (York, nap, 3.00) looks a sporting nap to win the Clipper Logistics Handicap. Trainer William Haggas celebrated his birthday yesterday and I’m hopeful his representative can hand him a belated present with a first victory of the season. The four-year-old has acquitted himself well in all three starts this season since being gelded and his seasonal comeback behind Sussex Stakes winner Here Comes When in May over course and distance has been well advertised since. A poor draw denied him the chance to take a hand in the John Smith’s Cup before he again shaped well in Group 2 company last time and the return to a strongly-run mile could be the catalyst to a winning performance.