Racing:Frankie Dettori snatched a last-gasp victory on Blue Bunting in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh this afternoon.
The Newmarket 1000 Guineas winner came with a late surge to mug Banimpire on the line and take the fillies’ Classic for Godolphin and trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni.
Only fourth in the Investec Oaks at Epsom, Blue Bunting (5-2) justified strong support to turn around Epsom form.
Wonder Of Wonders, the 5-4 favourite, and Laughing Lashes were just behind Banimpire (8-1) in third and fourth.
A trio of outsiders Amazing Beauty, Hurricane Havoc and Rumh set the pace with a healthy gap back to Dancing Rain, who headed the chasing pack.
Rumh, carrying the Godolphin second colours, took it up turning for home but the major fancies closed in as the race hotted up.
Dancing Rain never looked like adding to her Epsom success and she could not mount a serious challenge in what developed into a wide-open contest.
Several were in with a chance in the final two furlongs and it looked like Banimpire might just follow up her Ribblesdale Stakes success for trainer Jim Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning.
However, the Royal Ascot winner had no answer to Blue Bunting’s late thrust that saw her grab victory by a short head as Dettori made amends in style for losing third place at Epsom, where he was easy on his filly in the dying strides and picked up a lengthy suspension.