Another Marygate winner for Kodiac

Our venerable stallion Kodiac was to the fore yet again on Friday thanks to Love A Giggle, who flew home to take the Listed Marygate Stakes at York.

The filly is the third winner of the race for Kodiac after Patience Alexander and Pillow Talk.

Trained by Karl Burke for Carl Waters, Love A Giggle showed a fine turn of foot under Clifford Lee to run down Armor Supreme to win in cosy fashion. Princesse d'Orange, by Kodiac's son Ardad, was third.

The filly is now unbeaten in two starts following her debut success at Southwell.

"She's got heart and tries very hard," said Clifford Lee. "I jumped with them but a few were sharper, and they doing a little bit too much in front. I was picking them up nicely and I liked the way she hit the line.

"We all want nice horses to go to good races with and hopefully she'll go that way [to Royal Ascot]. She gave me a good, professional ride."

Karl Burke added: "I said to Cliff don't get involved early and try to get home and get a bit of black-type so to win it is brilliant. It's obviously a bit step up from Southwell.

"I don't see any reason why she won't step up again and go for something like the Queen Mary. She's a lovely filly and looked fantastic today."

Love A Giggle was bred by Peter and Hugh McCutcheon and is the first foal out of 2yo winner Silver Bullet Lady, a Decorated Knight half-sister to Listed winner Elusive Beauty. She was a 130,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling purchase by Carl Waters.