Oaks winner Dancing Rain will again have the assistance of Johnny Murtagh in Saturday’s British Champions Fillies And Mares’ Stakes at Ascot.
The William Haggas-trained three-year-old made all of the running at Epsom under a masterful ride from Murtagh, but the pair could finish only fifth in the Irish equivalent.
Ridden by Kieren Fallon in the German Oaks, the daughter of Danehill Dancer ran away with the Dusseldorf prize, but Murtagh is back in the plate this weekend.
Sir Henry Cecil’s Vita Nova has progressed this season from winning a handicap to running Blue Bunting close in the Yorkshire Oaks.
She was also an unlucky loser of the Lancashire Oaks when her saddle slipped.
Jim Bolger’s Banimpire will be having her 12th start of the season but remains remarkably consistent, going down only narrowly in the Prix de l’Opera in France two weeks ago.
Another Irish raider is Jessica Harrington’s Bible Belt, who had been progressive until disappointing in the Blandford Stakes.
The Roger Varian-trained Ferdoos has been absent through injury since beating Vita Nova at Haydock in May and attempts to follow in the hoofprints of stablemate Nahrain, who handled the leap from Listed company to the highest level with aplomb.
David Lanigan’s Meeznah, to be ridden by Frankie Dettori, the John Gosden-trained Gertrude Bell and Sir Michael Stoute’s Crystal Capella all hold chances.
Bolivia has been declared but will only run if the ground is suitable, according to trainer Lucy Wadham, while Mark Tompkins has booked Fallon for Brushing.
Hughie Morrison’s Cill Rialaig completes the field.
PA AAP TURF
