Gosden plots final piece of Arc puzzle as Enable prepares for grand departure

Enable completed her preparation for her third trip to Paris on Sunday just as she did for the previous two with one canter on Warren Hill on Friday morning – and that is not the only routine she will be sticking to this weekend.

Just as he did in 2017 and 2018, trainer John Gosden is to ship out his stable star by road early on Saturday morning when she will travel to Chantilly, not Longchamp, to stay overnight before being transferred to the venue of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe on Sunday.

After watching his potential history-maker breeze past under groom Imran Shahwani, Gosden said: "The first Arc Enable won was run at Chantilly and we've stuck to the routine of sending her there ever since. The reason for that is it can get pretty noisy on the Saturday afternoon when the racing is on at Longchamp, and the risk is Enable may well think she should be out there with them. By contrast, it's nice and peaceful at Chantilly, so we'll be heading back there."

Enable: all set for her trip to Chantilly

Whether or not it all goes to plan on Sunday, connections will not rush into making any plans about the immediate future for Enable, who holds entries on Champions Day at Ascot and at the Breeders' Cup.

Gosden said: "Any decisions regarding Enable's future plans after the Arc will be taken by one man only, Prince Khalid, probably some time next week. We'll get Sunday out of the way first."

Around Newmarket, increased interest in Enable has been noticeable as the history-making bid has come closer, and many more visitors and locals have ventured on to the Heath to see her and to take pictures.

Nick Patton, managing director of Jockey Club Estates who manage Newmarket Heath, said: "I've been here ten years and have seen all the recent greats and Enable would be right up there.

"It's an absolute privilege to see her train on a morning, and we've had increased interest around her in recent weeks. It would be extraordinary for everyone in the town if she could pull it off."

Nick Patton: 'It would be extraordinary for everyone in the town if she could pull it off'

Gosden's counterparts in the training ranks are also hoping for the hat-trick on Sunday.

Chris Wall said: "You only have to see how many turned out to see her canter at the Open Day to see how popular Enable is here and elsewhere.

"After she went past everyone dispersed into the town and it's been noticeable how many people have been around taking pictures, even during the week. It would be great for Newmarket and the sport as a whole if she could do it."

Ed Dunlop, whose Ouija Board finished third in the Arc in 2004, said: "It would be unbelievable if she could do it on Sunday and hopefully take the sport from the back pages on to the front. It would be a first for Newmarket and a first for anywhere for that matter."

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