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First juvenile winner for Love

Dot Love (left) pictured with owner Kieran Burke, assistant Ciaran Murphy and Joseph O'BrienDot Love (left) pictured with owner Kieran Burke, assistant Ciaran Murphy and Joseph O'Brien
© Photo Healy Racing

It’s a seismic shift from the Ladbrokes Irish Grand National to a two-year-old fillies maiden in Dundalk but trainer Dot Love broke new ground on the Polytrack when saddling her first juvenile winner with Principessa Ava

Liberty Counsel recorded a 50/1 shock in the Easter Monday showpiece earlier this year but this success was much more expected as the 7/4 second favourite triumphed under Joseph O’Brien. Peony Fairy (8/11 favourite) set the pace in this six-furlong event but was headed over a furlong out by her chief market rival.

O'Brien's mount kept on well under pressure inside the final furlong to score by a length and a half, with Dimity in third.

Pat Smullen rode the Ad Valorem filly to finish third at Listowel last month, and the former champion was given plenty of credit for this victory

Mrs Love said, “A lot of the thanks must go to Pat Smullen who has pointed us in the right direction and has ridden her out at the Curragh. She’s a very genuine filly, and that’s my first two-year-old winner.

“I have another two-year-old by Kodiac that has not run yet. We needed that as it is a long time since the National!”

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.