Frankie gets Bunting up to land the Oaks

Frankie Dettori stole the show in the Darley Irish Oaks as he got Blue Bunting up on the line to take the fourth Classic of the year at the Curragh in what was a fantastic renewal of the mile and a half race.

The Newmarket 1,000 Guineas heroine looked in trouble turning into the straight, as she was pushed along behind the leaders, but when pulled wide by Dettori inside the final furlong she found another gear to fly home and catch Banimpire on the line.

The runner-up, Wonder Of Wonders and Laughing Lashes looked to have it between them a furlong out with Banimpire getting on top close home. However the winner produced a fantastic late burst to deny the Jim Bolger trained filly a famous win by just a short head.

The short priced 5/4 favourite Wonder Of Wonders finished a further half a length back in third under Ryan Moore while Laughing Lashes was a short head behind in fourth under Fran Berry who lost his whip over a furlong out.

Epsom Oaks winner Dancing Rain could only manage fifth under Johnny Murtagh at 5/1.

The winner was returned the 5/2 second favourite having being backed from 4/1 this morning.

Winning trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni said afterwards: "Frankie gave her a brilliant ride.

"The nice pace helped her. The pacemaker done a good job.

"I'm delighted for my team who done so well to prepare her for today.

"I wasn't that confident before the race as I thought every horse had a chance.

"We have no certain plans for her now but she may go for the Yorkshire Oaks next."

Winning rider Frankie Dettori, who performed his traditional flying dismount in the parade ring after the race, said: "If I had stayed where I was I would have only finished fifth. I was going no where, so I switched her out for some daylight and I knew she would finish hard.

"I thought I would run out of time. But she picked up for me, just like she did in the Guineas.

Donal Murphy