Love and Frankly Darling among eight in Oaks

PA Sport Reporters
July 2, 2020 12:30 pm

O’Brien and Gosden contenders dominate Epsom market.

Market leaders Love and Frankly Darling head a field of eight for the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Saturday.

Love has been the ante-post favourite since her convincing victory in the Qipco 1000 Guineas and she now bids to become the first filly since Minding in 2016 to win both Classics.

Her trainer Aidan O’Brien also saddles Ennistymon and Passion as he seeks a seventh Oaks success.

Ennistymon was second to Frankly Darling in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

❤️
Love (Galileo) is a quality filly and fine winner of the Qipco 1000 Guineas, grabbing more Group 1 glory for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore at @NewmarketRace 👏

Results ➡ https://t.co/glajGV55GR pic.twitter.com/iqKoxt8frb
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 7, 2020

The latter, a daughter of Frankel, landed that Group Two prize on only her third start. Her trainer John Gosden has won the Oaks three times in the last six years, as has O’Brien.

Gosden has a second string to his bow in Tiempo Vuela, while trainer Roger Varian is also doubly represented – with Gold Wand and Queen Daenerys.

Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Bharani Star completes the octet.

The three withdrawals at the 48-hour final declaration stage were the O’Brien-trained Peaceful, who heads to France for the Prix de Diane Longines on Sunday, Dubai Love and Oriental Mystique.