Matt Chapman shuns the BHA’s decision not to promote Enable’s comeback against Crystal Ocean in his latest column
THE Group 3 September Stakes on the Kempton sand is not usually a race that would get me drooling with excitement.
But this year’s head-to-head of Enable and Crystal Ocean looks arguably the clash of the season.
And what has British racing done to promote it?
Nothing.
Not a sausage.
We have the Arc heroine, five-time Group 1 winner Enable returning from injury against the King George runner-up and much improved Crystal Ocean.
It’s horseracing’s equivalent of what boxing once had in the times of Nigel Benn v Chris Eubank.
Crystal Ocean, who gives Enable 8lb, is Benn; a rugged and hardened street fighter.
Enable is Eubank, with similar skills to Ben but also blessed with a touch of ballerina.
Of course it’s hard to promote a bout like this when you are only sure 48 hours before the event that both of the main protagonists are turning up.
But come on British racing, surely we are better than what we have achieved this week.
Outside of racing, no-one would know this historic day is taking place. It’s shameful.
In normal circumstances, today would be about the Sprint Cup at Haydock, but while the return of Harry Angel is significant on the back of his defeat and horror start at Royal Ascot, the six-furlong dash pales into insignificance compared to what is happening at Kempton.
Luckily you will be able to see both races on ITV, and I can’t wait to be part of the team bringing you all the action.
It’s a real relief that we get to see Enable again. At the start of the season we were all dreaming of clashes between her and stablemate Cracksman, the brilliant Champion Stakes winner.
That smash-up has yet to materialise, and when Enable had a setback we feared we might never see her on the track again.
It goes without saying huge credit should be given to trainer Johnny G Gosden and his team that she is back at all.
At face value this is no easy task on her return, but in saying that one is forgetting just how awesome Enable was in 2017.
ANGEL OF THE NORTH Your in depth preview to Saturday's Sprint Cup at Haydock
In her brilliant season she won the Epsom, Irish and Yorkshire Oaks, as well as an easy King George success at Ascot.
Enable was unstoppable.
She was one of the best we have seen for a very long time. And that means that if she is close to her best she should beat Crystal Ocean.
But the latter provides a real test. Crystal Ocean is not only a talented and super-tough colt trained by Sir Michael Stoute, he has also improved throughout his four-year-old campaign, having been a fine second in last season’s St Leger.
Crystal Ocean powered to success in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot, and lost little in defeat to stable companion Poet’s Word in the King George.
Of course Poet’s Word was then beaten in the Juddmonte International at York, but I wouldn’t necessarily judge him on that effort.
One thing is for sure, Enable’s connections will not want her to have a hard race.
Yes, they will try to win and it appears decent Ebor runner-up Weekender is in as a pacemaker, but most of all they will want her to enjoy herself.
There is always the possibility Enable will disappoint. By the end of the day she could even be retired. That is why this is such a big occasion.
We could see Enable hack up, face defeat or see her on track for the last time.
The gut feeling has to be if connections are ready to risk her then she’s ready to roll. Pray for Enable.
Incidentally, it looks crazy to have the main race of the day as the opener at Kempton.
But it does give Frankie Dettori the chance to jet up to Haydock for James Garfield in the Sprint Cup.
Ideally, though, with ITV coming off air at 4.30pm, the September Stakes should have been at about 3.30, followed by the Sprint Cup.
You always build to main events. It should be so simple to sort out.