Aidan O’Brien last night raised doubts about the participation of Love in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, mainly due to the deteriorating ground at the track this week. It has now been confirmed that she will not run in the race.
The Galileo filly has been exceptional this season, winning the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket before landing the Oaks at Epsom and Yorkshire Oaks at York in tremendous fashion.
The Arc has been the number one aim since her victory on the Knavesmire when last seen. However, her epic showdown with John Gosden’s Enable will not happen now to the dismay of horse racing fans.
Love had been on the drift all week and was 0/3 on ground with any form of cut in it.
The alarm bells started ringing when she drifted from 6-4 out to 4-1. She was as big as 7.2 on the exchanges last night.
Aidan O’Brien was last night quoted saying: “When you start getting into extremes – especially when you start talking about heavy ground in France – we have to be realistic.”
“We have to make a decision at 9.30am on Friday. Nothing is on or off until we believe things are right.”
Interestingly, Epsom Derby winner Serpentine has been supplemented for the race at a cost of 72,000 euros and is still a very lightly raced colt.