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Covert Love digs deep in Prix de l'Opera

Covert Love edges out Jazzi TopCovert Love edges out Jazzi Top
© Photo Healy Racing

Covert Love edged out Jazzi Top as British raiders dominated in a pulsating climax to the Longines-sponsored Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp.

Irish Oaks heroine Covert Love, trained by Hugo Palmer, was looking to bounce back from a narrow reverse in the Yorkshire Oaks on her most recent start.

The three-year-old was smartly away in the hands of Pat Smullen and, dropping back to a mile and a quarter from a mile and a half, was allowed to stride on at the head of affairs.

The John Gosden-trained pair of Star Of Seville and Jazzi Top were her nearest pursuers and the latter looked the likely victor after looming ominously alongside under Frankie Dettori.

Covert Love would not lie down, however, and despite being briefly headed, roared back tenaciously to clinch a narrow victory over her fellow 4-1 joint-favourite.

Last year's winner We Are came from a long way back to snatch third.

Palmer said: "She's very, very good, I thought she was beaten three times in the straight, but she wouldn't know what that means.

"Pat gave her a wonderful ride, I said to him before the race 'there isn't a jockey in the world with a better clock in their head than you, so do your thing'. I think she was headed, but she came back and that takes real guts.

"I said after the Irish Oaks I'd love to win a Group One with her over 10 furlongs and the world is her oyster now.

"If she is still thriving she will go to Ascot or she could go to the Breeders' Cup.

"As long as she is in one piece she will remain in training next year."

Gosden said of Jazzi Top: "She ran a great race, and there is a possibility that she will now go to the United States (Breeders' Cup)."