Love Faces Defending Prince of Wales's Hero Lord North

Last season was all about Enable 's bid for a historic third Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1), yet the wondermare's trainer John Gosden thought Love  was the one they all had to beat.

It is easy to see why. She was imperious in three wins, landing the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) by 4 1/4 lengths, the Investec Oaks (G1) by what was until this year's renewal considered an impressive winning margin of nine lengths, and recorded a five-length rout of five rivals in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1).

She looked an absolute superstar, but we were denied confirmation of her brilliance by the ParisLongchamp ground and then contaminated feed ruled the O'Brien battalions out.

The ground this season has seen her return to the course delayed on several occasions, with the Coolmore Sottsass Irish E.B.F. Mooresbridge Stakes (G2), Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1), and Coral Coronation Cup (G1) coming and going without arguably the most talented horse in training turning up.

But with the sun shining and the word soft missing from the going description, Love is finally back on track for the June 16 Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1) during the second day of the Royal Ascot meeting. She has a 300-day absence to overcome. She faces colts, and a field of predominantly older horses, for the first time. This is her first start at a mile and a quarter. There are question marks, sure, but there is also a sense of anticipation.

That anticipation might already be an expectation had we seen her in 2021, but out of sight is out of mind. Snowfall 's sensational 16-length success in the Oaks has left Love with a point to prove. She has the potential to be the best O'Brien has ever trained and light up the season, but she might not even be the best filly at Ballydoyle.

"Love is ready to start and we're looking forward to seeing her," said O'Brien, who also saddles the third favorite Armory . "She's been ready to start a few times but the ground just hasn't been right for her.

"We were planning on starting her earlier but every time we looked at running her it seemed to be coming up soft. She's been away a few times and seems to be in good form—she looks to be doing everything well so far."

On his other runner Armory, an impressive three-length winner of the Melodi Media Huxley Stakes (G2) on his reappearance this season, Ireland's perennial champion trainer was positive. If Love were to be undercooked for whatever reason, O'Brien knows he has her able sidekick cherry ripe.

He came up short at this level in two attempts last season, and that has to be a nagging doubt, but a third and second in the Irish Champion Stakes (G1) and Ladbrokes Cox Plate (G1) convince he is up to this level and he looked to have taken another step forward for another winter on his back with an authoritative display at Chester last time.

"It looks like 10 furlongs on nice ground is what suits Armory," added O'Brien. "He ran at Chester with a view to coming back here. We were delighted with him last time."

The St. James's Palace is part if the international Breeders' Cup Challenge Series and will award the winner an expenses-paid berth in the Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) at Del Mar Nov. 6.

Lord North Up to the Task

It is a reflection of the ability Love possesses that Lord North , last year's 3 3/4-length winner who earlier this year added a three-length success in the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1) to his list of group 1 wins, is second-best in the market.

The 5-year-old was expertly prepared for his thunderous display in the desert by John Gosden's son and co-trainer Thady, and looked as good as ever.

The form may not amount to the same level as his demolition of Addeybb  in this race last year, but visually at least he looked value for at least a bit more. He swooped around the outside of the field on the home bend, challenging up the center of the track, and put the race to bed in a matter of strides. His flamboyant partner clocked off early, coasting the final 50 meters. 

Thady Gosden said: "He won the Dubai Turf very well in March and we've had this race in mind for him since as he won it very well last year. He runs very well fresh so he's had a nice holiday since then and has been pleasing us at home as he usually does. Obviously he has to take on Love but he goes there in top order."

Lord North finished with blood in his mouth at Meydan and Gosden Sr. added: "He cracked his head on the gate—he's a lunatic in the gate. The reason he was gelded is because he destroyed the gate up at Newcastle once and when he sets off in there he doesn't listen to anyone. We've had all the top people with him so we hope he behaves in the starting stalls this time but he can be very tricky.

"In the Breeders' Cup Turf last year the gates opened and he went straight up into the rafters. He's in good form and back on quicker ground, so it's a fascinating race.

"(Love) was exceptional last year but she raced with her own sex. I was thinking she'd be the one for the Arc but the Arc ended up being run on, the jockeys tell me, the deepest ground they've ever raced on at Longchamp."

Breeders' Cup Heroine Returns

Audarya  is entered for her 5-year-old debut and returns against males after capping last season with a victory in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Keeneland. 

"It's a tough introduction for her, but it would have been tough going to Ireland first time out too and I wanted to keep her against her own age group," said trainer James Fanshawe. "She's very tough and hardy, as she showed when losing only 10 kilos on that long trip to Keeneland and back, via Chicago. She outstayed them in the Filly & Mare Turf at Keeneland, and that was just one of those days when everything went right. We thought she had a terrible draw, but Pierre-Charles Boudot gave her an amazing ride."

Desert Encounter , who also has North American form as a two-time winner of the Pattison Canadian International (G1T) at Woodbine in 2018-19, has been second in two starts this season.

"He'll turn up, run his race, and hopefully pick up the pieces and grab some prize money," said trainer David Simcock. "He's showing all of his old enthusiasm, even at 9, but we're aware there will be better opportunities throughout the year."