Encke To Go the Distance

ENCKE TO GO THE DISTANCE 
Godolphin’s 2012 G1 St Leger winner Encke (Kingmambo) has exited his third-place finish in the G1 Irish St Leger Sept. 14 in good order and will likely continue down the comeback trail in the G2 Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot Oct. 18. 
“Encke came out of the Irish St Leger in great nick,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “I’m very happy with him and as long as it is not testing ground he will run at Ascot on Champions Day in the Long Distance Cup. That should tell us where we are with him as he’ll be stepping up to two miles. If he stays it will open up plenty of doors for next year, when he could be a very exciting horse.” 
As one of the horses involved in last year’s Mahmood al Zarooni steroids scandal, Encke was forced to the sidelines for nearly two years after his St Leger victory. He returned with a smart second in the G3 Glorious S. Aug. 1 prior to his Irish St Leger effort.