8 September 2018
Enable (Nathaniel) made a big statement by winning the September Stakes (Gr 3) on her belated return to action at Kempton on Saturday. The filly’s win gave the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe picture a different complexion, with the filly reacting just as her jockey, Lanfranco Dettori, was expecting. Trainer John Gosden said: "She has had a perfect preparation - four weeks ahead of the Arc de Triomphe. I liked everything about her race as she went away from her field and consequently Crystal Ocean {her main rival} was never able to mount a serious challenge. Enable was operating somewhere between 80 to 85 per cent of her optimum fitness levels. She will progress between now and the Arc de Triomphe. The filly has had a frustrating several months on the sidelines as she is an active type that loves to train and race.”
Crystal Ocean took second place in the race and is a possible addition to the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe field. His trainer, Sir Michael Stoute said: "We will discuss this with the owner. But there are a lot of good races or him this autumn such as the Canadian International and the Champion Stakes..."
Before the race, Enable was rated a 5/1 chance by the bookmakers for the Arc. She has now shot to the head of the betting again, having originally been at the head of the queue after her 2017 Arc win before being displaced
in that role. However, she is back in vogue for the big ParisLongchamp race, having been slashed to as low as 6-4 in places. She has also been quoted at 2-1. Consequently, her main market rivals are all on the slide, and one time favourite Sea of Class (Sea The Stars) is now available at odds ranging from 4-1 to 5-1; ditto Cracksman (Frankel) and Lah Ti Dar (Dubawi) who have ‘lengthened’ to 8/1 and 10/1 respectively. As for the Sir Michael Stoute pair, Crystal Ocean and Poet's Word (Poet's Voice), they have variously been quoted at odds varying from 10/1 to 14/1.