'All about the Arc' as John Gosden explains decision to bypass York with Enable

Enable will miss York's Ebor meeting and a clash with fellow Oaks winner Love in the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks next week, to give her the best chance of winning a historic third Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, John Gosden said.

The two-time Arc winner, who was also short in the betting for the Juddmonte International at York, has taken in the Yorkshire Oaks as her final run before two of the last three Arcs - but owner Khalid Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe revealed on Monday she will instead prepare for Longchamp by tackling Kempton's Group 3 September Stakes on the Polytrack on September 5.

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe card and betting

Explaining the decision, Gosden said: "The Eclipse, three weeks before the King George, was perfect timing as a prep race. The Yorkshire Oaks at over six weeks before the Arc does not suit nearly so well as the September Stakes.

"We have successfully used this before as a prep race in 2018. We did not wish to travel to Longchamp three weeks before the Arc for the traditional French trials and we only wished to run her once before the Arc.

"The attempt to win a third Arc is the only reason she stayed in training this year, hence this plan."

The Arc is 29 days after the September Stakes and 45 after the Yorkshire Oaks.

Enable racked up a record third win in the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot last month after which a return to the Knavesmire, where she could have made more history by becoming the first three-time winner of the Yorkshire Oaks, was earmarked.

Enable secures a historic third win in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

However, owner Abdullah, who sponsors the highlight of the York meeting under his Juddmonte banner, had a change of heart. Grimthorpe said: "Prince Khalid has decided that Enable's next start will be the September Stakes at Kempton on September 5."

Explaining the decision, he added: "There's lots of reasons. We're looking at the Arc as the main objective and she's six years old now, we know she loves the Knavesmire but she's done well from the September Stakes as well and we thought that would be a way of getting her to the Arc in the best possible shape."

Watch Enable complete a record third King George win last month

The daughter of Nathaniel looked in good order when cantering on Warren Hill on Monday morning under the watchful eye of Gosden.

Enable had been 6-4 with William Hill for the Yorkshire Oaks clash, with her younger rival Love a 4-5 chance. However, the big showdown now looks like taking place at Longchamp in October when the same firm make Enable 5-2 favourite to oblige with Love at 3-1.

Kempton clerk of the course Barney Clifford was understandably delighted by the news and said: "It's fantastic news, it's a proven step to the Arc and I was delighted to read it."

Read more:

Aspetar set to take his chance in red-hot Juddmonte International

French ace Sottsass likely to miss York as Rouget prioritises Arc

'He's capable of winning lots of Group 1s' - Mohaather given French option

'She's unbelievable' - Enable stands alone after a third King George triumph

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