ENABLE BACK WITH L’ARC IN THE PARK
ENABLE was slashed to 6-4 favourite to complete a historic Prix de l’arc de Triomphe double after a formidable return to action at Kempton yesterday.
The presence of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes runner-up Crystal Ocean among the four-runner assembly for the September Stakes ensured a stern examination for the John Godsentrained filly on her first race since her Arc success at Chantilly last October.
But she shrugged aside the 342-day absence to pass the Group 3 test with flying colours, making all the running under Frankie Dettori (inset) to hold her rival by three-and-a-half lengths.
As Paddy Power cut Enable from 9-2 to 6-4 for a repeat victory at refurbished Longchamp four weeks today, Gosden said: “To get the best mile-and-a-half filly you’re ever likely to train in your life back again means an awful lot. There have been some long days but I couldn’t be more happy with the way it has gone.
“She came here 80 per cent – if you want to stretch it, 85 – so the race will put her right. It was a lovely trial for the big one.”
A knee issue diagnosed in the spring forced Gosden and owner Prince Khalid Abdullah to abandon plans for the summer.
But the master of Newmarket’s Clarehaven Stables was always confident the daughter of Nathaniel could return to her best.
“She’s like a Federer or Nadal – she’s very strong in the mind,” added Gosden. “She’s got a stronger mind than you and I put together.
“She enjoys her racing and she has found it more frustrating than us – it really annoys her when the other horses go out on the heath to canter and gallop, and she has to stay behind.
Dettori, a record five-time Arc winner, beamed: “She’s awesome! She feels as good as ever – all systems go for Longchamp.”