Brushing

CD winner in the following Listed Galtres Stakes 12 months ago but has struggled in all three starts in Group company since and looks up against it.

Crystal Capella

A winner of eight of her 15 starts, including three Group Twos the latest of which came on her seasonal reappearance and was, arguably, a career best performance although there is a suspicion that the result flattered her. Drop to ten furlongs didn’t suit in the Nassau where she was three and a half lengths behind Midday and she has leading claims stepped back up in trip.

Snow Fairy

2010 was an annus mirabilis and included two Oaks and Grade One wins in Japan and Hong Kong. A setback delayed her return to action this season until the Eclipse in July. She improved on her run there to chase home Midday in the Nassau and connections believe that she will improve again for that outing. Runner-up 12 months ago and will make a bold bid to go one better.

Vita Nova

Progressive daughter of Galileo who routed a field of handicappers before finishing second in a Listed race and a Group Two. Bumped into a good one on her penultimate start and was an unlucky loser in the Lancashire Oaks where her saddle slipped almost causing her rider to be unseated. She has improved with each visit to the racecourse and doesn’t need to find too much more in order to play an integral role.

Banimpire

Remarkable filly who has already had nine races this season, winning six times (including a brace of Group Twos) and finishing second in the Irish Oaks. Rarely visually impressive but she has a marvellous attitude and is as game as a pebble and keeps grinding away. The step back up in trip should suit, she’s still improving and would be dangerous to underestimate.

Blue Bunting

1000 Guineas winner who made amends for a torrid passage in the Oaks at Epsom when winning the Irish equivalent by a short-head. She looked in trouble that day until being switched wide for a run at which point she picked up and came home strongly. The wide straight of the Knavesmire should suit and there should be more to come.

Laughing Lashes

Found conditions too fast when down the field in the Guineas at Newmarket but conditions were more to her liking when beaten a length and three quarters behind Misty For Me in the Irish equivalent. Latest three parts of a length fourth in the Irish Oaks (where jockey dropped whip in closing stages) puts her in the picture for this contest although improvement’s required to reverse placings with the placed runners.

Rumh

Form of reappearance behind Izzi Top and Dancing Rain worked out well and comfortably landed a Listed prize next time. Disappointed when turned out quickly in the Ribblesdale before helping to cut out the pace in the Irish Oaks having been supplemented. Likelihood is that a similar role awaits.

Wonder Of Wonders

Impeccably bred filly who impressed in winning the Cheshire Oaks before finishing in the frame in the Classics at Epsom and the Curragh. She was only beaten by half a length in the latter contest despite not looking entirely happy on the yielding ground. Closely matched with Blue Bunting and Banimpire on that form and no surprise if she has further improvement in her back on ground that may not be as testing.

Summary

A fascinating renewal with a good clash of the ages. They are five apiece over the last 10 renewals of this race, however, the Classic generation have repeatedly lowered the colours of their elders this season.

Crystal Capella is the highest rated runner in the race following her convincing win at Newmarket but the ground (which was more testing than advertised) played to her strengths and the four runners behind her to have run since have all been well beaten.

Vita Nova has the potential but may not be quite ready for this test whilst the three year olds, led by Blue Bunting, are greatly respected but SNOW FAIRY should be reaching peak fitness after her early season setback.

The dual Oaks winner’s international form is out of the top drawer and she can stamp her class on proceedings.