IT'S MINNIE HAUK

O'Brien has the last laugh as star filly completes Oaks Grand Slam

- DAVID YATES

MINNIE HAUK received the royal seal of approval — and a 6-1 quote for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe — after sealing a Group One hat-trick in the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks.

Just three rivals opposed the Aidan O'Brien-saddled daughter of Frankel, who graduated from success in the Listed Cheshire Oaks to net Classic glory in the Oaks at Epsom and the Irish version at the Curragh.

As short as 1-4 at the start of trading yesterday, Ryan Moore's mount drifted to 8-15 on the back of reverses for Ballydoyle stablemates Delacroix, Lambourn and Italy on Wednesday but galloped past her pacemaker Garden Of Eden for a routine three-and-a-half-length beating of Estrange.