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Love Olivia looks worth following at York

May 2025

Love Olivia made an immediate impact on her all-weather bow and can make a swift leap to Listed level in the Clipper EBF Marygate Fillies' Stakes at York on Friday.

Trained by Karl Burke, Love Olivia was a 140,000 guineas purchase for Amo Racing as a yearling, with her dam hailing from the family of Stepper Point and her sire Havana Grey a constant source of classy runners.

She breezed home by 7.5-lengths at Wolverhampton in a four-runner contest, with the size and quality of that field clearly open to question.

Love Olivia could only beat what was put in front of her though and given she still appeared to have plenty to learn, there is every chance she can make another leap forward here and book a Royal Ascot ticket.

Glittering Surf is similarly taking to the turf for the first time in the Listed Sky Bet Fillies' Stakes, better known as the Michael Seely.

She is two from two for Owen Burrows so far, winning over 1600m at Kempton on her debut in December before adding a repeat course-and-distance success in March.

Glittering Surf showed versatility in tactics in those victories, racing prominently first time and coming from off the pace on the second occasion, but displayed plenty of ability in both runs.

Burrows has earmarked the Coronation Stakes as a possible aim and victory here should seal that Ascot target.

The Boodles Yorkshire Cup Stakes has drawn a field of just five and it looks a potentially trappy contest.

The stamina of likely favourite Rebel's Romance is far from proven, while Sweet William is having his first start of the year on ground that might not be ideal. Continuous has struggled to really find his best since winning the St Leger two years ago.

With that in mind, it could pay to take a chance on Epic Poet, who has plenty to find on the ratings but arrives with a handful of positives in his favour.

David O'Meara's charge arrives race fit having run with credit in Dubai in the early part of the year, winning at Meydan in January, claiming an excellent second in the Red Sea Turf in Riyadh and then taking third in the Dubai Gold Cup on his most recent start.

The 3200m possibly stretched his reserves that day, with this drop back to 2800m in his favour and the likely quick ground also of no concern.

Crown Of Oaks is another to note on the Knavesmire as he contests the Darley EBF "Confined" Novice Stakes.

Third in each of his two starts for William Haggas so far, he did not enjoy much luck in running on the latter occasion and can reverse form with reopposing Point Of Contact.

Knightswood has been in fine form so far this term and can claim a second win in the Trustatrader Approved And Reviewed Trades People Handicap at Newmarket.

Beaten just under two lengths when third at the Guineas meeting, the conditions of the race put him at a disadvantage and 2800m might have been a shade too long. - Press Association

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings on Friday. Here are the tips.

NEWBURY: Race 1: 14.55 My Ambition, Race 2: 15.25 Burrito, Race 3: 16.00 Domination, Race 4: 16.33 Sea Force, Race 5: 17.05 Time Allowed, Race 6: 17.45 Gamrai, Race 7: 18.20 Blue Tempus, Race 8: 18.55 Nibras Gold.

YORK: Race 1: 15.10 LOVE OLIVIA (NAP), Race 2: 15.42 Bint Al Daar, Race 3: 16.13 Glittering Surf, Race 4: 16.45 Epic Poet, Race 5: 17.15 The Quiet Gent, Race 6: 17.55 Crown Of Oaks, Race 7: 18.30 Yaaser.

NEWMARKET: Race 1: 15.18 Zina Colada, Race 2: 15.52 Noble Horizon, Race 3: 16.25 Zaraquelle, Race 4: 17.00 Galileo Island, Race 5: 17.38 Knightswood, Race 6: 18.15 My Mate Kev.

AINTREE: Race 1: 18.10 Bear Market, Race 2: 18.45 Sainte Doctor, Race 3: 19.20 Fingal's Hill, Race 4: 19.55 Sail Away, Race 5: 20.30 Masked Dance, Race 6: 21.05 Bannister, Race 7: 21.40 Cal Ok.

HAMILTON: Race 1: 18.35 Royal Duke, Race 2: 19.05 Blue Mantle, Race 3: 19.40 Mafting, Race 4: 20.15 Whathappensinvegas, Race 5: 20.50 Bamburgh, Race 6: 21.25 Hostelry, Race 7: 22.00 Black Cab.

ALL TO COME: Love Olivia and Glittering Surf (York, Races 1 and 3).

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