Twenty-two remain as Enable bids to make Arc history

Enable will face a maximum of 21 rivals in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, as she bids to become the first three-time winner of the race. 

The six-year-old was thwarted in the dying strides by Waldgeist 12 months ago, and she has been kept in training with the sole aim of going one place better this time around.

She’s enjoyed a good campaign so far, finishing second behind Ghaiyyath in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown in July, before winning the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes later that month.

She’s since warmed up for her Paris assignment with a bloodless success in the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton earlier this month, and following sustained rain fall in France this week, she’s likely to face very soft conditions - which will be similar to those which saw her come unstuck 12 months ago. 

Standing in Enable’s way is the three-year-old filly Love, who has enjoyed the perfect campaign so far; winning the 1000 Guineas, the Epsom Oaks and the Yorkshire Oaks. She’s likely to be popular in the betting in receipt of 7 lb from Enable, as Aidan O’Brien bids to win this race for a third time. 

O’Brien has a strong squad for Longchamp, and also sends last year’s fourth Japan, the Grand Prix de Paris winner Mogul and last year’s Irish Derby winner Sovereign.  

Enable will also be joined by her stablemate, the star stayer Stradivarius, who has been dropped back to middle distances with a tilt at the Arc in mind. He’s been in devastating form over longer distances this year, and prepared for this by finishing a close second in the Prix Foy over course and distance earlier this month. 

The Arc is also an option for last year’s St Leger hero Logician, who has missed the lion’s share of the season through injury. He returned with victory in a conditions event at Doncaster at the Leger meeting, though he could head elsewhere due to the fact that he shares the same owner as Enable. 

The home challenge is headed up by the three-year-old filly Raabihah, who represents Jean-Claude Rouget. She won a Group 1 contest at Deauville in August, and like Love she will receive weight from her older rivals.

Rouget has yet to win the Arc, and also sends last year’s third Sottsass, who was last seen finishing fourth behind Magical in the Irish Champion Stakes. 

Joseph O’Brien is enjoyed a good season, and he could have as many as five runners in this year’s race; Buckhurst, Crossfirehurricane, Degraves, New York Girl and Thames River - though each of that quintet would have a big task on their hooves for win purposes. 

Andre Fabre won this 12 months ago with Waldgeist and sends the Prix du Moulin winner Persian King this time around, while each of In Swoop, Telecaster, Gold Trip, Deirdre, Way To Paris, Royal Julius and Chachnak also remain in contention.