O’Brien predicts ‘some spectacle’ as Ballydoyle tries to better Enable

King George full of intrigue despite select field.

It is Enable versus Aidan O’Brien in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes at Ascot as the Ballydoyle handler attempts to finally get the better of John Gosden’s mare.

Having won the race twice already, along with two Prix de l’Arc de Triomphes towards her prolific Group One tally, Enable has proved an elusive nut to crack for O’Brien – who has thrown everything bar the kitchen sink at the six-year-old.

For a man who thrives on competition, it will be gnawing away at O’Brien that so far his efforts have come up short in toppling Enable, but in Japan this time he feels he finally has the tools for the job on Saturday.

He also runs Anthony Van Dyck and Sovereign, yet the Derby and Irish Derby winners from last season are both available at double-figure prices in the four-runner field – a fact which illustrates the standard set by Enable and Japan.

“We’re very happy with the three of them,” said O’Brien.

“We’re very happy with Japan – everything about his first two runs this season was leading into the King George.

“The first day at Ascot, he got upset in the stalls and missed the break, then he got a little tired, but we were happy. We were delighted with him at Sandown (in the Eclipse) and we felt he would progress big time for it.

“Everything about his work since has been very good, and we are where we hoped he would be. He’s a year older, he’s had two runs, he’s progressed from his first to his second -and we think he’s progressed a nice bit again.

“It’s a very small field, but very select. Racing is about competitive racing, that’s what everyone wants to see. We always had it in our minds this would be Japan’s first big target. With horses, you go minute by minute, but at the moment we are very happy.”

With Japan’s two runs this season coming over 10 furlongs, O’Brien is confident two furlongs further will not be an issue.

“Japan ran a great race in the Arc as a baby three-year-old when he was beaten only two and a quarter lengths by Enable,” he said.

“It was all a rush last year – we made a mess of the start, and he just made the Derby.

“As for his best trip, he gets 10 furlongs very well but he looks like he gets a mile and a half too. Obviously those class mile-and-a-half horses have the speed for a mile and a quarter as well, and that’s what he’s got.

Japan (in white) and Enable were both behind Ghaiyyath in the Eclipse last time out
Japan (in white) and Enable were both behind Ghaiyyath in the Eclipse last time out (Mark Cranham)

“We’ve run lots of horses against Enable but we’re always trying to compete, that’s what everybody loves. It’s great having strong competition, so it’s great Enable is there.

“The mystery of it all is what everyone wants, nobody knows what is going to happen. It should be a great race to watch.

“It will be Enable and Frankie (Dettori) and Japan and Ryan (Moore) – so it will be some spectacle. The two horses and the two lads, we’re looking forward to it.

“You have to admire what Enable has done – it’s great to have her in the race and it’s great she’s still competing. The reality is it’s like one of those old matches. It’s on a great track, a stiff mile and a half, so it should be great.”

Aidan O'Brien has yet to get the better of Enable
Aidan O’Brien has yet to get the better of Enable (PA Wire)

He added: “All the talk of team tactics has been nonsense. Everyone can see that any one of our horses can win – no matter what prices they are or who is riding – they run to compete and compete to win, that’s always the way.

“It’s easy for outsiders to say this, that and the other – whether they win, lose or draw and before or after – but we don’t think it’s good sportsmanship ever.

“When you compete you accept the result and move forward, wish the people who beat you or finished behind you well and hope you meet again. That’s always been the way.

“It’s all a load of nonsense really – jockeys make funny decisions in races, some keep their ground, some don’t, and the next thing everyone is up in arms saying this shouldn’t happen. The stewards are there to see all those things, so it’s a load of nonsense.”

Anthony Van Dyck (pink) won a blanket finish for the Derby last year
Anthony Van Dyck (pink) won a blanket finish for the Derby last year (Simon Cooper/PA)

For Anthony Van Dyck, winless since Epsom, and Sovereign – who has only had the one run since his finest hour – huge career-bests will be needed to trouble the first two, but it is never wise to rule out anything O’Brien trains.

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“Anthony Van Dyck is working very well, and a mile and a half on fast ground is what he wants,” he said.

“Everything seems very well with him. He’s had two runs this year – we were delighted with him at Newmarket, and he ran a great race in the Hardwicke when a horse leaned on him all the way up the straight.

“It’s Sovereign’s second run of the season, and he’s come forward lovely.”

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