Dettori: I will win the battle to make weight for Enable

Frankie Dettori has vowed to win a battle with the scales to make the weight on the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth favourite Enable.

Even though he only occasionally rides at 8st 7lb, Dettori said he was making the effort for the dual Oaks winner as he believes she is well up to the task of winning Ascot's midsummer showpiece, which will be her first race against older horses.

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Dettori ruled out doing overweight and has put himself on a special diet to ensure he can make the weight in a contest in which every pound of Enable's filly and weight-for-age allowance could be vital.

"It's hard work but I had plenty of notice," he said. "I am doing well and I will do it. I do it when it needs to be done. I have been on water and white fish for the last few days and I am on course to do it.

"I am not doing overweight. I wouldn't take the ride if I was going to do overweight. It's too important. You need every ounce you can get."

Dettori has ridden Enable to back-to-back wins in the Oaks and Irish Oaks and revealed she had dumped him on the gallops on Wednesday, after which her place in the field for the Qipco-backed race was confirmed by connections.

Dettori said: "I think she is very good but we will find out on Saturday. It's the first time she is going to take on the older colts. It's a big stepping stone but for what she has shown us and the feel I get I think she is up to the task.

"It is not a walkover but it will be a very competitive race with an Eclipse [Ulysses] and King George winner [Highland Reel] in the field. She has shown she is up to the challenge and I am looking forward to the ride."

Read about the King George greats:

2000: Imperious Montjeu a fitting 50th King George hero

1997: Battling Swain grinds it out against firmament of stars

1992: St Jovite routs his rivals with awesome display