Frankly Darling won the Ribblesdale Stakes in great style
Frankly Darling won the Ribblesdale Stakes in great style

Big two Love and Frankly Darling among field of eight for Investec Oaks at Epsom


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.

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.

Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

Sky Bet's responsible gambling tools are detailed here and if you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.