Ribbons bounces back to her best Ribbons bounced back to her best as she claimed the Group 2 Moyglare "Jewels" Blandford Stakes under Tom Queally for James Fanshawe and the Elite Racing Club. Having finished a close-up third to Diamondsandrubies in the Pretty Polly over the course and distance in July the daughter of Manduro disappointed last time out at Deauville when sent off favourite. Available at 5/1 last night with Paddy Power she opened on-course 4/1, touching 9/2, before going off a 3/1 chance. Settled in rear she improved through the field with over three furlongs to race. She travelled strongly to challenge on the outer from two furlongs out, hitting the front a furlong pole before keeping on well under pressure to score by half a length. Tapestry (4/1) ran a cracker on her seasonal debut, finishing second under Joseph O'Brien for his father Aidan, while the 2/1 favourite Bocca Baciata was a further length and a quarter back in third under Fran Berry for Jessica Harrington. Tom Queally said afterwards: "The thing that was most important was that myself and James decided to get her relaxed in the early part of the race so she would have more in the straight and she settled well. "I was a bit concerned there might be a lack of pace but they went an even tempo and I came there with a double handful. "She was equipped to quicken up. She had some good form in France and I had a lot of confidence in her. Regardless of position I was always going to ride her with confidence. "She likes to get her toe in and tries very hard. She was a little temperamental going to post but coming back was easier. "It's on the slow side out there and with the rain coming will get testing as the day goes on." Additional reporting by Gary Carson
