Love is in the air for O'Brien's brilliant Arc hopeful

Paris is the city of romance and Love is in the air after Aidan O'Brien's filly continued her preparation for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with another majestic win in the Yorkshire Oaks, writes Will Jennings.

John Lennon’s voice boomed from the York speakers after Ryan Moore partnered Love to an imperious five length victory, her third Group One win of the season after her brilliant Classic triumphs in the 1000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks.

It’s been 53 years since The Beatles quilled All You Need Is Love and Flat racing’s resident philosopher O’Brien continues to corroborate their sentiments, as the season’s standout three-year-old delivered another stunning display.

O'Brien confirmed a date with Longchamp destiny now beckons for Love, who was crowned queen of the Rowley Mile by four and a half lengths, dominated the Downs by nine and held her nerve on the Knavesmire to make it three wins from three Champions Series starts.

“We’re delighted and Ryan gave her a lovely ride,” said O’Brien, now a five-time winner of the Yorkshire Oaks since Alexandrova galloped to glory in 2006.

“She had a break after Epsom so we’re absolutely delighted with what we’ve seen there.”

It all looked so simple for Moore, who won the race on Ballydoyle’s Tapestry in 2014 and scooped another win in the showpiece with one of the least complicated rides of his career.

Ralph Beckett’s Manuela de Vega set the pace for much of the contest with jockey Rob Hornby on board, as Moore nestled in behind the leader with his finger on the trigger.

Alpinista, One Voice - trained by Jessica Harrington - Frankly Darling and Franconia made up the rest of the field but there was only ever one winner as Love sparkled once more.

Moore hit the accelerator with half a mile remaining and Love flew to the finish in splendid isolation, capping yet another imperious Group One win and further shortening her odds for the Arc.

A tilt at the St. Leger has been touted but the speedy Love excels over a mile and a half, winning at Newmarket over eight furlongs and now over 12 at Epsom and York to make her a standout contender for the most famous race of them all.

The thought of a Love versus Enable showdown in Paris is a tantalising prospect, with John Gosden's marvel mare bidding for a Longchamp treble but O’Brien’s new kid on the block now as short as 6-4.

Throw Charlie Appleby’s Ghaiyyath - Coronation Cup, Coral-Eclipse and Juddmonte International winner - and Gosden's Stradivarius into the mix and the stage is set for quite a contest in the city of love.