Curragh beckons for Encke Next month's Irish St Leger at the Curragh remains the most likely next port of call for Encke following his hugely encouraging return to action at Glorious Goodwood. The five-year-old denied Camelot the elusive Triple Crown when clinching the St Leger at Doncaster in 2012, but was forced to miss the following campaign as one of the most high-profile horses involved in the Mahmood Al Zarooni drugs scandal. Returning from a near two-year absence and making his debut for trainer Charlie Appleby, Encke finished a clear second behind Pether's Moon in the Glorious Stakes last Friday and is reported to have taken those exertions well. Appleby said: "With a horse like him who has just had his first run after such an extended lay-off, the important thing is to see how he is for the next few weeks, but the Irish St Leger is definitely in our thoughts. "He'll also be given an entry in the Grand Prix de Deauville (August 31) and if he were to come to hand quickly, we will look at that, but I would think it is probably more likely we'll wait for the Irish Leger, as long as conditions suit. "I think a galloping track like the Curragh would definitely suit him, so we will see how things progress. "I couldn't be happier with how he has come out of Goodwood at this stage, he's back in light exercise and that will gradually increase over the next few weeks. "The most important two boxes to be ticked were that he still has the enthusiasm and the ability, and he did that, so hopefully we can move forward from here."
