Love made it three Group 1 wins on the bounce this season when justifying favouritism in fine style in the 1m 4f Yorkshire Oaks on day two of York’s Ebor Festival.
The Aidan O’Brien trained three-year-old fully, who went into the race on the back of a Classic double having landed the 1000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks by wide margins, was sent off at 4/9 and never gave her legion of supporters an anxious moment.
Regular rider Ryan Moore kept it simple from flag fall, allowing Love to settle in nicely behind the pace-setting Manuela De Vega.
The beautifully bred daughter of Galileo was tanking along down the home straight whilst all her five rivals were flat to the boards.
When Moore did allow her an inch of rein two furlongs from home, Love quickly opened up and only had to be nudged out under a hands and heels ride to extend away and easily beat Alpinista by five lengths.
She looked a class apart with Moore not having to get serious at any stage and confirmed herself as a filly of the highest order. It looked the ideal prep for the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on Sunday, 4 October.
After initially cutting Love into 11/4 joint-favourite with Enable for the Paris showpiece, further support has seen her become the new market leader with Paddy Power at 5/2.
David Metcalf, Horsebetting.com Head Tipster
Love could bid to become the first to win the fillies’ Triple Crown since Oh So Sharp in 1985 if successful in the St Leger at Doncaster next month. However, post race Moore thought she had too much speed and would not be suited by a slog over an extended 1m 6f.
That means that all roads now lead firmly to the Arc and, judged by what I have witnessed this season, the flashy white-faced Love looks a worthy market leader and very much the one to beat.
She has done nothing but improve this season, and a high cruising speed with a potent turn of foot. Love also has plenty of tactical speed to get her in a good early position – something which is vital in the Arc.
Another big plus is that as a three-year-old filly she receives hefty weight via sex and age allowances. It will be a real big ask for John Gosden trained six-year-old mare Enable, who will be bidding to win the race for a record-breaking third time, to give her 7lb.
