Covert Love set for Irish Oaks

Hugo Palmer has confirmed that Covert Love is likely to run in next weekend’s Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh.

The three-year-old has been excellent since claiming her maiden at Chelmsford in May, winning a handicap at York in June before claiming her first Listed win later that month at Newcastle in the Hoppings Stakes.

Connections are now looking ahead to bigger things, with Saturday’s one mile and four furlong Irish Oaks a real target.

Her trainer, Palmer, admits he has been pleased with the way the filly has progressed in recent months and says he now expects her to be supplemented into the Group One at the Curragh.

“She did a sensational piece of work the other morning and she’s just getting better and better,” said Palmer.

“If she’s in the same form, we’ll run some tests, scope her and everything before we supplement as we wouldn’t want to stump up 40,000 euro for something to go wrong.

“At this stage, it is the definite plan to supplement, though. She’s a lovely filly and she’s very game.

“While they all stop improving one day, I’m hoping that day for her is some way off.”