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John Gosden will make Wednesday call on Enable run

Enable and Frankie Dettori win the Investec Oaks
Image: Enable and Frankie Dettori win the Investec Oaks

John Gosden sounds positive about the likelihood of dual Oaks winner Enable running in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.

The top-class filly has been left in the midsummer highlight at the five-day declaration stage, with the Clarehaven handler due to make a final decision on Wednesday after he speaks to owner Khalid Abdullah.

It had looked likely that Enable would head to the Yorkshire Oaks after her stroll in the Irish Oaks at the Curragh.

But in what would be a huge boost for the King George, she could now tackle older horses for the first time in her career.

Gosden said: "She's been left in the race and the final decision will be made on Wednesday when I discuss matters with the owner.

"Apart from a cut on her leg, which has healed, she came out of the Irish Oaks very well.

"She's had plenty of time between her previous races. It's not like she's been over-raced this season. She's fresh and very well.

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"Frankie (Dettori) got a great feel off her at the Curragh and was pretty excited talking about her afterwards coming home on the plane.

"He (Dettori) has to shed some weight himself if we are going to do this but I've got to make it clear I need to talk to the owner."

Gosden will also run Jack Hobbs, who disappointed in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, having previously won the Dubai Sheema Classic in such style.

The trainer told At The Races: "We always wanted to run Jack Hobbs in the Prince of Wales's but the fact it turned out to be the hottest June day for 40 years and the ground lightning fast was entirely the wrong thing for him.

"Obviously he's got no problem with a mile and a quarter.

"He's run brilliantly twice in autumn ground there, but a mile and a half with cut in the ground is right up his street."

The Gosden pair, and likely pacemaker and stablemate Maverick Wave, are among 16 remaining contenders for the King George. They are joined by the Aidan O'Brien-trained brothers, last year's winner Highland Reel and Hardwicke hero Idaho. O'Brien has also left in Johannes Vermeer and US Army Ranger. Charlie Appleby has confirmed Hawkbill and Frontiersman, who fought out a finish at Newmarket recently, while David Simcock is another with two possibles in Algometer and Desert Encounter. Eclipse winner Ulysses will aim to give Sir Michael Stoute a record sixth triumph in a race he last claimed seven years ago with Harbinger. Dante one-two Permian and Benbatl, who both went on to win at Royal Ascot, are both in the mix - as are My Dream Boat and Argentinian challenger Sixties Song.

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