Enable the great: the qualities which make the Arc favourite so special

Since her easy win in the Cheshire Oaks in May 2017, Enable has been unbeatable. Brilliant horses, brilliant jockeys and brilliant trainers have tried to conquer the outstanding daughter of Nathaniel in her last 12 races, but all have been defeated. Simply put: she is a superstar.

But what are the qualities which make Enable so brilliant and so difficult to beat?

Versatility

Until her thrilling King George win in July, all of Enable's wins had come at different racecourses. It is an accomplishment which should not be downplayed, as Enable has showcased her ability to handle all sorts of tracks and configurations – the tight turns of Chester and Churchill Downs, the unique camber of Epsom, the Tapeta surface at Newcastle and the uphill finish of Sandown.

Although she is no stranger to Longchamp, Enable's versatility can not be solely explained through the medium of racecourses as she has also been undeterred by ground conditions which so often hamper even the smartest of superstars.

Admittedly John Gosden has kept her away from heavy going, yet Enable has swatted away the opposition on soft ground in the same professional and decisive manner as she deals with them in quicker conditions.

Toughness

Racehorses are delicate animals and many a superstar has had their career prematurely ended or worse, so it was a wonderful achievement for Enable to return from her injury setback and associated lengthy layoff to land a second Arc.

The big scare: a desperate Dettori keeps Enable's head in front of Sea Of Class at the finish of the 2018 ArcCredit: Edward Whitaker

You are not meant to win the Arc off just one run that calendar year, particularly not when there is another minor setback between your preparation and the big day itself. Enable thought otherwise and followed it up with an equally tenacious victory on an entirely different continent within the space of a month.

Her great constitution was also displayed during her Classic season when she won three Group 1s in 40 days, showing she can handle a busy schedule.

She also exhibits that toughness and guts in her style of racing, no more so than when emerging on top after her prolonged battle with Crystal Ocean in the King George. Few manage to ask Enable such questions – or pose questions at all – but she answered them emphatically. Up for the fight? Definitely.

Tactically straightforward

While her apparent preference is to sit handy off the leaders in the extremely capable hands of Frankie Dettori, a look at Enable's recent runs quickly explains how she has evaded any tactical nightmares which could have arisen.

One could argue a tactical nightmare did almost arise in the King George when Dettori was caught wide early on after breaking from the widest stall and had to settle into a position much further back than ideal.

Enable overcame tactical issues to win a pulsating King GeorgeCredit: Mark Cranham

It was the first time the comment 'held up' appeared in her in-running Racing Post comments since her debut, but it mattered not a jot as she steadily made her way through the field and had enough stamina and class to repel the stern test Crystal Ocean posed.

The opposite occurred at York where, in a small field, Dettori opted to make all. The outcome was the same, as it had been in the same race two years prior.

Perfect blend of speed and stamina

With no problems seeing out a mile and a half with some cut in the ground on testing tracks like Ascot, there have never been stamina concerns for Enable. The one time her petrol gauge appeared to flicker during her unbeaten run was in last year's Arc, although fitness concerns likely played their part.

However, far from being a one-trick pony, Enable coped admirably with the drop to a mile and a quarter when winning the Coral-Eclipse in July, her first win at the trip. As has been the case many times before, when Dettori asked for more from Enable, the reaction was instant. She is able to sustain a high racing pace when others have cried enough.

Enable: handled the drop back in trip superbly in the 1m2f Coral-EclipseCredit: Edward Whitaker

Her team

John Gosden always had a significant amount of ability to work with but the experienced Newmarket trainer deserves his fair share of credit for nurturing Enable into the marvellous mare she has become.

Gosden has left no stone unturned this year with Enable's route to the Arc, meticulously planning the perfect steps to Longchamp.

He often points to Enable's mind and temperament but he himself showed patience when Enable took time to come to herself this season, bypassing a potential engagement at Royal Ascot.

Come Sunday evening, the result may reward such patience.

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