All eyes on Enable but Lope is better value

The racing world will be willing Enable on to reclaim her crown in the Unibet September Stakes at Kempton – but none of t hem will get rich backing her to do so.

John Gosden’s brilliant mare is likely to start at odds of 1- 5 or shorter, and should surely land them.

Races such as Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Cup present much more enticing rewards.

Aidan O’brien’s Lope Y Fernandez seemed as good as ruled out of the Group One on Merseyside in midweek, so it was a shock not just to see his name among the 13 declared but that Ryan Moore was available to ride. It appears new relaxations in coronavirus protocols brought Moore out of lockdown in Ireland and Lope Y Fernandez demonstrated his well- being on the gallops.

Those who had already ment all y eli minated him f rom their calculations may therefore be well advised to think again because Lope Y Fernandez has plent y going for him. The three- year- old has yet to strike this summer but has faced tough tasks, twice at trips beyond what appears to be his optimum. His trainer has come to the conclusion that this six furlongs suits best, and also believes the anticipated ease in the ground will be no hindrance at all.

Lope Y Fernandez did not appear to stay but still ran very well in defeat when third on his first start of the campaign behind Siskin in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

He was then a major disappointment at Royal Ascot but has since finished within a length of Godolphin stars Pinatubo and Space Blues in two Deauville Group Ones at up to seven furlongs.

Hello Youmzain, defending his crown this weekend, was just a head in front of him on the latter occasion – conceding 4lb – and, although the weight differential is halved here, Lope Y Fernandez is value at around double the odds of both his old rival and likely favourite Dream Of Dreams.

Earlier on the card, Rajinsky faces a clutch of familiar foes as he seeks a deser ved victory in the Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap, having had to settle for the runner- up spot three times in succession.

The s eri es of near miss - es for Tom Dascombe’s battle - hardened four- year- old at least means his rise up the ratings has been only gradual and therefore allows him the opportunity to take advantage when conditions are right.