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What heights can Love conquer now? We assess her comeback victory at Royal Ascot

Love (Ryan Moore,left) beats Audarya to win the Prince Of Wales's StakesAscot 16.6.21 Pic: Edward Whitaker/ Racing Post
What will the rest of 2021 hold for Love after her Prince of Wales's Stakes success?Credit: Edward Whitaker

Love emerged victorious on her comeback run at Royal Ascot, battling on bravely to beat Audarya in the Prince of Wales's Stakes under Ryan Moore. The victory sets up a potential epic campaign, but what did our experts make of the performance?


'She moved beautifully through the race'

My opinion hasn't changed, really, in that I think we'll see a better filly over a mile and a half.

One thing that was clear at Ascot on Wednesday is that Love needs fast ground, as I thought she moved beautifully through the race and, because she settled, Ryan Moore was able to set his own fractions, which he managed to perfection.

The Breeders' Cup Turf would be the right race for her, but she'll have plenty of options over a mile and a quarter, too, and I would think we'll see her win more Group 1s. But she does need fast ground and that's likely to be a problem in a race like the Arc.

James Hill, tipster


Prince of Wales's Stakes: full result and race replay


'We're none the wiser after this victory'

Every race tells you something new about every horse but we're not a great deal wiser about Love after the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

The withdrawal of Lord North made her much the pick of the field on form and she got the run of the race in front without Ryan Moore having to set any great pace.

Winning the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks by a combined total of 18 lengths last year showed she is a top-class filly and if you fancied her for the Eclipse, King George or the Arc beforehand you will still like her chance.

But the bookmakers slashing her odds across the board were over-reacting, whatever the reports she "wasn't cherry ripe" for her reappearance.

David Carr, reporter


Relief for Aidan O'Brien as superstar Love returns with a bang at Royal Ascot


'Surely all roads lead to Paris this time'

She's the most exciting older horse in training and let's hope she goes on to all the big targets later in the season.

Last year she looked like she could take her place in history by landing the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks and Arc in the same campaign. It didn't happen because of testing conditions at Longchamp, but surely all roads lead to Paris this time around and she will probably go there as favourite.

Aidan O'Brien seemed keen to stress that he would have preferred to have got a run into her before this race, so she probably wasn't 100 per cent, and there should be plenty of improvement to come. The sky's the limit.

Graeme Rodway, tipster


Read more from Royal Ascot Wednesday:

Frankie Dettori records 75th Royal Ascot winner with victory on Indie Angel

Kemari keeps up awesome run for Derby winning trainer Charlie Appleby

Cromwell and Carroll celebrate first Royal Ascot winners as Quick Suzy strikes


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