I lived on water and fish for a week - but it was worth it

Frankie Dettori had to ride at one of his lightest weights to take the mount on Enable. Here he explains how getting down to 8st 7lb was all worthwhile

When John [Gosden] rang me on Sunday and said Enable was going to run in the King George I didn't know if I wanted to be happy or cry. I was happy because it's a million-pound race but I also knew I had to lose 7lb.

I lost 7lb in six days. I had water and fish basically for a week, which is boring, but I wouldn't let anybody else ride her.

She's a superstar. I told John I've not had a feeling like that since Golden Horn won the Arc. I knew she was up to the task but I didn't expect her to do that. She destroyed them. She is uncomplicated, has a good mind, all the things you want.

I was confident and then this morning when I started reading the negative things like she might not like the ground I thought, well, if they've got to give a stone to a superstar that's a big task for them. If she turned up like she usually does I knew she'd be very hard to beat, and she proved that.

I was a bit worried about being stuck a bit wide drawn seven, so I thought, 'We have a stall advantage, let's get her forward, let them play catch-up with me'. I took it up round the bend and heard the commentator say I was clear, and I was able to enjoy it.

I'm now most looking forward to a glass of champagne; the eating can come later. I had a week to do it so I had plenty of time to pace myself. I stuck to a strict regime and it was worth it. She's a filly for the Arc.