Honours have been shared between older fillies and the three-year-olds in this prestigious Group 1 since the turn of the century but it's the younger generation that can come out on top today via BLUE BUNTING. She showed her run in the Epsom Oaks to be all wrong when reversing that form with Wonder Of Wonders and Dancing Rain in the Irish Oaks and can follow up here. Rumh finished tailed off at the Curragh but Laughing Lashes got to within a length of the winner and the wonderfully consistent Banimpire was only beaten a short-head by Mahmood Al Zarooni's filly and has since won a Group 2 over 1m2f on a return visit. The one worry with Jim Bolger's charge is that she is almost certain to find her busy schedule catching up with her at some stage. After her magnificent exploits last year, Snow Fairy is being brought along quietly this year but wasn't far off her best when second to Midday in the Nassau at Goodwood and should again finish ahead of earlier Newmarket scorer Crystal Capella. Vita Nova looked unlucky when beaten by Gertrude Bell in the Lancashire Oaks but steps up in grade again here and may be found wanting.
Brushing 66-1 (8-12) Towards rear, outpaced when pace quickened over 3f out, headway when not clear run and switched left 2f out, never nearer, 5th of 8, 11l behind Midday (9-3) at York 1m 2f fll Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.
Crystal Capella 4-1 (9-6) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, squeezed through on inside to challenge 3f out, every chance 2f out, chased winner inside final 2f until over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Midday (9-6) at Goodwood 1m 2f Group 1 fll stks (3yo+) (1) gf in Jul.
Vita Nova (IRE) 10-11fav (9-5) Took keen hold, held up in touch in rear, headway when not much room 3f out, saddle slipping from 2f out, went 2nd and rider lost irons well inside final furlong, not able to trouble winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Gertrude Bell (9-5) at Haydock 1m 4f Grp 2 flls (1) gf in Jul.
Banimpire (IRE) 4-5fav (9-1) Held up in rear, niggled along entering straight, headway on outer to lead under 2f out, soon edged right, driven out and kept on well final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 2 gd beating Dunboyne Express (9-1) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Blue Bunting (USA) 5-2 (9-0) Mid-division, moderate 7th halfway, headway into 5th 3f out, ridden 2f out, switched to outer over 1f out, ran on well final furlong to lead on line, won at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) in Jul beating Banimpire (9-0) by shd, 9 ran.
Laughing Lashes (USA) 15-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway in 6th 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, rider lost whip over 1f out, stayed on to challenge and every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 9, 3/4l behind Blue Bunting (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) in Jul.
Rumh (GER) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, improved to lead over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2 1/2f out, no extra and weakened, tailed off, 7th of 9, 29l behind Blue Bunting (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) in Jul.
Wonder of Wonders (USA) 5-4fav (9-0) Settled behind leaders, moderate 6th halfway, headway into 4th 3f out, improved to challenge 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Blue Bunting (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) in Jul.
Snow Fairy (IRE) 5-2 (9-6) Held up in 5th, headway on outside over 2f out, switched right and chased winner over 1f out, edged right and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Midday (9-6) at Goodwood 1m 2f Group 1 fll stks (3yo+) (1) gf in Jul.
