Enable one of 22 to remain in Arc reckoning

Nick Robson
September 28, 2020 10:45 am

Gosden mare is seeking a third win in ParisLongchamp highlight.

Enable is one of 22 left in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp, in which she will bid for a historic third win.

John Gosden’s mare came so close to becoming the first horse to win Europe’s greatest race three times when caught late on by Waldgeist 12 months ago.

This season, she was beaten on her return in the Eclipse by Ghaiyyath, but has subsequently won a third King George at Ascot before an easy victory in the September Stakes at Kempton.

Gosden also has a strong second string in three-time Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius, due to be ridden by Oliver Peslier, while the yard’s 2019 St Leger winner Logician – who only recently returned to action – has also been left in.

Enable is unlikely to be favourite this year, because she has to give weight to Aidan O’Brien’s Love, who has enjoyed the perfect season – winning over a mile in the 1000 Guineas, before also romping to victory in the Oaks at Epsom and adding the Yorkshire Oaks last time out.

She will, however, be facing by far her toughest task to date – especially because the ground in France is expected to be soft at the very least.

O’Brien could also run Mogul, who finally lived up to his reputation in the Grand Prix de Paris last time out, Japan and Sovereign.

The Ballydoyle trainer suggested at the weekend that his hugely impressive Derby winner Serpentine could also be supplemented on Wednesday.

Joseph O’Brien could be well represented – with Buckhurst, Crossfirehurricane, Thames River, Degraves and New York Girl left in.

Andre Fabre, having dashed Enable’s hopes last year with Waldgeist to win the race for a record eighth time, is due to run Persian King – who will be trying the trip for the first time.

Another of the big home hopes is Jean-Claude Rouget’s filly Raabihah, although she was no match for Dermot Weld’s Tarnawa in the Prix Vermeille.

Telecaster, Deirdre, Sottsass and Way To Paris have also been left in.