IT’S A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE!

O’brien’s devotion to filly pays off in impressive style

LOVE conquered all to give Aidan O’brien a fourth QIPCO 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket in the past five years.

O’brien had narrowly missed out on 2,000 Guineas glory when Wichita was overhauled by Kameko on Saturday.

But normal service was resumed for the all-conquering Ballydoyle stable as 4-1 chance Love and Ryan Moore put four and a quarter lengths between herself and Cloak Of Spirits, who denied 11-4 market leader Quadrilateral by a head for third.

The race took place behind closed doors as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, and O’brien, speaking from his Co Tipperary base, said: “She’s a beautifully bred filly by Galileo and Ryan got her into a lovely rhythm.

“She’s very genuine

– she had her head out and ran to the line.”

The winner of the

Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last September, Love finished a length and a half and a head behind Quadrilateral (above) in the top-level Fillies’ Mile over yesterday’s course and distance the following month. But Love’s progress since – the Guineas meeting took place five weeks later than originally scheduled – persuaded her trainer she could narrow the gap.

“It was a very small distance we had to make up,” said O’brien. “We thought she handled Newmarket and the experience she had last year would have done her good for this year. “She was doing everything right all through the winter and the spring. Everybody has put a lot of work into her.”

Love is now a best-priced 13-8 favourite to do the Guineasoaks

double over an additional four furlongs at Epsom on July 4.

“We always thought she would get much further than a mile,” added O’brien “We always thought we’d start here and then maybe go on to the Oaks.

While Richard Hannon was “delighted” with Cloak Of Spirits’ 12-1 second, Quadrilateral’s trainer Roger Charlton was “happy enough” – despite his filly’s first defeat. “I’d imagine she will stay further, but we won’t be rushing her,” said Charlton.

RUN WILD ran away with the Listed Betfair Pretty Polly Stakes to earn a 10-1 quote for the Investec Oaks at Epsom in July.