Enable’s impressive Kempton return praised

Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, hailed Enable’s Kempton win on Saturday as “a very good start to her year”.

The four-year-old returned to action with a bang after recovering from a knee injury, showcasing her talent with a fine victory, finishing ahead of Crystal Ocean in the Group Three September Stakes.

Last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, who had not raced since that big success last October, appeared in fine fettle at Kempton and Grimthorpe admitted afterwards the day couldn’t have gone any better.

“She is good this morning and there are no problems. She was in very good form going into the race and we always hoped she would produce a good performance,” Grimthorpe said.

“The way she did it was very pleasing. I think everything about it was good and I don’t think you could have asked for any more in how the race worked out.

“She got into a good rhythm, and although she was a little bit fresh, she settled really well, and she quickened well when asked. The runner-up (Crystal Ocean) is a very solid horse.”

Defending her Arc title is now the aim for Enable on October 7, and Grimthorpe seemed quietly confident she will live up to expectations.

He added: “The Arc is a huge race and she will have to bring her A-game, but that was a very good start to her year, if a somewhat belated one.

“It was great to see her do what she did yesterday.”