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Enable steps up Arc de Triomphe preparation on first visit to the Rowley Mile

Enable came through her first assignment on turf since winning last month's Yorkshire Oaks in good fashion when paying her first visit to Newmarket's Rowley Mile on Wednesday morning.

This was a crucial bit of work for the five-year-old only 11 days ahead of her historic bid for a third Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and connections were pleased with what they saw despite the absence of any fireworks.

There is only one thing Enable loves more than galloping around Newmarket Heath and that is being at a racecourse; she had her racing brain into gear when pulling Frankie Dettori's arms out going to post.

Watched by a large crowd of media and Newmarket members, the ten-time Group 1 winner covered a mile in the company of stablemate Crossed Baton, finishing just a neck to the good at the winning line.

John Gosden said: "That was just what we wanted for Enable on what was beautiful ground after 7mm of rain yesterday. I was very pleased with the work which was built up nicely but I just wanted her to stay with her lead horse as we're not here to go eight lengths clear or anything like that.

"She had a good healthy blow and it went to plan which doesn't always happen with work mornings.

"I walked the Limekilns yesterday but they've had no proper rain for seven or eight weeks whereas they've watered this and it was perfect racing ground. Thanks to Newmarket racecourse for allowing us to use it and it was nice to see a decent turnout to see her."

Enable is an 8-11 chance to complete her hat-trick on Sunday week, and Gosden added: "The Arc is looking like a very good race this year. You have Sottsass, the best three-year-old colt in France coming in as well as Japan the best three-year-old colt in Britain and Ireland.

Of the older brigade, he added: "In France you have Waldgeist who, if the ground remains like it is at the moment, will run a huge race as he's never had his ground in the Arc and Andre (Fabre) tells me he's working well and he won his trial well On top of that you have Ghaiyyath who won well in Germany last time so were fully aware of what the task involves."

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