Enable holds off Sea Of Class in closest Arc finish in the last 20 years

- Superstar fillies fought out the finish to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as last year's heroine Enable held off a late thrust from Sea Of Class to narrowly prevail at Longchamp.

The John Gosden-trained Enable, who was so impressive when the race was staged at Chantilly last year, enjoyed a perfect passage under Frankie Dettori – who was winning his sixth Arc – and looked to be in full control when hitting the front 400m out.

However, she was ultimately all out to deny Sea Of Class, who

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was held up from a wide draw and stormed home under James Doyle to provide a grandstand finish to the first running of the race at the redeveloped Longchamp.

Enable enjoyed a spectacular season in 2017, winning five Group 1s in dominant fashion. However, she had experienced a setback this campaign which limited her to just one run at Kempton last month.

After her brave success Gosden revealed all had not gone to plan between Kempton and Longchamp.

He said: "It's not been the preparation we've wanted – I had a slight hiccup between Kempton and here with a slight temperature problem – so it's not been easy and it's down to the filly. Frankie rode a lovely race.

"Full marks to the second who was flying at us, she was beautifully ridden. Prince Khalid [Abdullah] is the owner-breeder and he wanted to come here and I'll talk to him and if she's in good form, there's no reason why we won't come back again.

"She wasn't at her best today. But she got the job done and she's a wonderful filly."

Enable was slashed to 4-6 (from 7-4) with Paddy Power for the Breeders' Cup Turf at Churchill Downs next month.

The official winning margin was a short neck, with last year's runner-up Cloth Of Stars a further 0.75 lengths back in third.

Sea Of Class, who has enjoyed a stunning season, winning the Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks, emerged with her reputation enhanced, doing well to make up so much ground in the straight.

Maureen Haggas, wife of trainer William Haggas, said: "She's run a brilliant race. We're thrilled to bits with her. From that draw she's run unbelievably well and you can't be in any way disappointed with her.

"From where James was drawn he had little alternative. After the draw I called my father [Lester Piggott] and said, 'What do we do?' He said, 'Don't change tactics, drop her out the back and pray'.

"She's had a brilliant year and let's hope she can come back and do similar next year." –