York Starting Point For Covert Love

After scouring the progamme book, Hugo Palmer is planning a York seasonal debut for his star filly Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}). The G2 Middleton S. over 10 furlongs on the Knavesmire in May is the chosen route, despite the fact the dual Group 1 winner will be saddled with a three-pound penalty.

“She will start in the Middleton,” said Palmer. “I tried to think left and right, up and down, laterally, inside and outside a box, for a way to not to start her without carrying a Group 1 penalty in a Group 2, but it is the obvious race for her.”

Palmer feels there is so little between several of these top-class fillies that every pound counts and a penalty could well be the difference between victory and defeat.

Added Palmer, “It could be a Group 1 in all but name. The question is, who are we going to be frightened of who doesn't have a Group 1 penalty? We only beat Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) a head in Paris and [if she runs] we will have to carry three pounds more than her. The consensus at Longchamp was that we outstayed Jazzi Top. There was very little between them in Paris and I've the utmost respect for her.”