Enable likely to miss King George for crack at Yorkshire Oaks

Dual Oaks winner Enable is likely to skip an early first test against the colts in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot to stay against her own sex in next month's Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

The Khalid Abdullah-owned filly, who was a general 6-1 third favourite to give trainer John Gosden a third win in the Ascot contest, came back with a nick to a hind joint after routing the opposition in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday, where she accounted for Rain Goddess by five and a half lengths.

Enable and Frankie Dettori after winning the Darley Irish OaksCredit: Alain Barr

Despite getting the all-clear from the superficial injury, Enable is to be given plenty of time before tackling her seniors for the first time on the Knavesmire on August 24, after which a crack at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is not being ruled out.

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to the owner, said: "Enable returned with a small nick to a hind joint after winning in Ireland but she's sound now and doing well back at Clarehaven.

"At this point it's more likely she'll head to the Yorkshire Oaks next and, as chairman of York racecourse, I'm most pleased about that, although it wasn't my decision!"

Enable, who is evens favourite with Paddy Power and 6-5 with Betfair to triumph on the Knavesmire, will be attempting a British-Irish-Yorkshire Oaks treble last achieved by Alexandrova in 2006. Those who have tried and failed since include the mighty Snow Fairy, who finished runner-up to Midday at York in 2010.

Looking further ahead, the daughter of Nathaniel is 6-1 second favourite for the Arc with most firms, while BoyleSports and Coral make her 5-1 favourite ahead of Almanzor. However, a decision on future targets will not be made until after York.

Grimthorpe added: "We'll take it a race at a time with Enable and all decisions about targets and whether she stays in training will be made later on."

Gosden also has the likes of the classy older females Journey and So Mi Dar among the entries for the Yorkshire Oaks, a race he has won with Dar Re Mi (2009) and The Fugue (2013).