September Stakes emerges as Enable option as Arc heroine nears return

Enable's preparation for the defence of her Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe crown could include a trip to Kempton for the September Stakes, it was revealed at Goodwood on Friday.

Trained by John Gosden, who used the all-weather Group 3 as an Arc springboard for Jack Hobbs three years ago, Enable suffered a setback in May but is working her way back to a return.

She could head to York for the Juddmonte International or Darley Yorkshire Oaks this month, but also has Kempton on September 8 as an alternative.

Watch Enable win last year's King George

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Enable's owner Khalid Abdullah, who had two winners at Goodwood on Friday, said: "She's not going to be pushed to get to York. If she's screaming to go there she'll probably go, but it's not like she has to.

"Something like Kempton would be an option. She acts on most ground, but on her first run back you'd want good, even ground, although that goes for wherever you run. That would be a month before the Arc."

He added: "Both races at York look like they're going to be quite hot and she'd want to be going well to go to York, there's no question about that.

"She's done one piece of work and John will move on with her, but he's not going to put the gun to her head. She just wants to be in good form wherever she goes, and that includes the September Stakes and the Arc."

A dual Classic heroine who also captured last year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Enable has not raced since thumping her Arc rivals at Chantilly last October.

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