Covert Love appears the safest option in a trappy-looking Darley Yorkshire Oaks on the second afternoon of the Ebor meeting at York.
It would not be a complete surprise if there is a shock in the mile-and-a-half Group One feature, but all the signs are Hugo Palmer’s three-year-old is a progressive individual and is capable of following up her Irish Oaks triumph.
Palmer bravely took the plunge to supplement her at the Curragh and the move paid a handsome dividend as the daughter of Azamour stayed on strongly to beat Jack Naylor and favourite Curvy, who had previously done everything right this season.
Handy from the off in a race run at a brisk pace, she was there to be shot at but showed all the right qualities to come home in front.
Given the manner in which she did it, it looks like the long galloping Knavesmire straight will be very much up her street and the sky will be the limit if she can take this in similar style.
The most exciting horse on display at York could end up being Lumiere, who will hopefully light up proceedings with a smart display in the Pinsent Masons Lowther Stakes.
A brilliant all-the-way performance at Newmarket’s July meeting was the talk of Headquarters and, judged on post-race comments, was not unexpected given her work at home.
Six lengths was the winning margin and while this represents a marked step up in class, it is going to take something pretty special to stop Mark Johnston’s filly gaining Group Two honours and, with it, probably 1000 Guineas favouritism.
Tarando is on a fair mark at a low level in the All The Best Free Bets At thebookiesoffers.co.uk Handicap at Chepstow, with narrow Nottingham runner-up Tyfos the call in the Racing UK On Sky 432 Handicap at Hamilton.
Layline is a pretty reliable yardstick on the all-weather and gets the nod in the Hickstead Show Ground Handicap at Lingfield, while Number One London looks a capital investment in the Edward Brain Plant Hire Novices’ Hurdle at Stratford.
