Rouget enjoying quiet prep with Sottsass as Enable team takes heat

Jean-Claude Rouget was among the first to congratulate John Gosden when Coronet landed the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville a week ago, cheekily suggesting that his friend should answer the assembled journalists' questions in French.

And Rouget will be quite happy should the lion's share of the attention be focused on the history-chasing Enable in the six weeks that remain between now and the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, a race for which his Prix du Jockey Club hero Sottsass was identified by Gosden as one of two chief dangers alongside International Stakes winner Japan.

Both colts will receive the 7lb three-year-old weight-for-age allowance, a factor only partly offset by the 3lb Enable gets back as a mare.

Enable returns to a rapturous reception after landing the Darley Yorkshire Oaks last weekCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"She was perfect the other day, in a tricky race with only four runners," said Rouget. "We know Enable will be the big favourite and that is perfect for us. I'd rather not have the weight of favouritism on my back."

The Jockey Club form remains untested this year, with Sottsass kept fresh for Arc Trials day on September 15 and his two nearest pursuers, Persian King and Motamarris, both on the sidelines since Chantilly.

Against that Sottsass produced the rare feat of running to a higher official rating than Investec Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck.

"Sottsass is very well and has been working away in preparation for the last three weeks," said Rouget. "He hasn't had any problems since the Jockey Club and he is now gearing up for the Prix Niel. The idea is to go there at 80 per cent in order that he is 100 per cent on D Day.

"He has to prove he stays 2,400 metres [a mile and a half] in the Niel and that he is in the same form as during the spring. If he wins in good style, then it will be all systems go as far as challenging Enable."

A best-priced 9-1 with William Hill, Sottsass will attempt to become the first French-trained winner of the Arc since Treve in 2014, while the once-reliable Prix Niel last produced the winner of Europe's biggest race in 2006 with Rail Link.

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