John Gosden’s Enable ready for Sunday’s test in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly racecourse
John Gosden's filly has been brilliant all season and now faces her toughest task yet as she bids to land the big one at Chantilly
ENABLE bids to cap off a terrific season with victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly on Sunday.
John Gosden's English, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks heroine already has a victory against the boys to her CV when demolishing the field in the King George.
Enable has been drawn in stall two with Frankie Dettori hoping to become the winning-most jockey in Arc history with four victories to his name to date.
"It was always going to be a big field, which is the reason we didn't want to run Cracksman in it. It is good opposition and it is a proper Arc," said Gosden.
"Horses with a high draw have the initial advantage, as it is a bit like in the boat race and the jockey will have to work out what to do. Luckily he has to make that decision, not the trainer.
"I just hope we don't get too much rain on the day. I would love to see it on better ground, when you see the good horses quicken.
"The filly is well in herself. She is a lovely filly and she is well. She is weighing more now than she did at the beginning of the year, which is a good sign.
"Remember, Chantilly it is not an easy track, with sharp bends. Not always the best horse wins."
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Jim Crowley, who rides Ulysses, was happy with the inside stall.
Crowley said: "I was happy with stall one when I saw Enable was in stall two. I would much rather be where we are than 17 or 18.
"We are 3lb better off at the weights since the King George, but it was very testing ground that day so I'm praying we don't get much rain.
"The feeling he gave me in the Juddmonte was that he'd clearly improved, but he'd need to have as well."
Alan Cooper, racing manager to Ulysses' owners the Niarchos family, said: "Sir Michael has had this in mind for quite some time.
"We've been very happy with him since York and we're looking forward to it."
Aidan O'Brien runs five, including dual 1,000 Guineas, Coronation Stakes and Nassau Stake heroine Winter, who is the pick of Ryan Moore.
However. she tries a mile and a half for the first time and suffered a surprise defeat last time out.
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"She's been in good form since Leopardstown and everything has gone well," said O'Brien of his dual 1000 Guineas heroine.
"Obviously you can't be sure about the trip as the furthest she has gone was the mile and a quarter at Goodwood."
O'Brien's dual Classic winner Capri has been dismissed by punters at around 20-1.
"He's in good form. Obviously he hasn't done a lot since Doncaster, but he seems to be in good form," said the master of Ballydoyle.
Order Of St George, third last year, would be suited by rain, with O'Brien adding: "He's in good form. We've been happy with him since the Irish Leger at the Curragh and everything has gone well."
Idaho and Seventh Heaven complete the Ballydoyle squad.