York: Blue Bunting rematch with Banimpire in Yorkshire Oaks

Several high-class 3-year-olds remain in the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday at York in England after Snow Fairy, last year's runner-up and this year's likely favorite, was ruled out.

The Godolphin-owned Blue Bunting slightly disappointed with a fourth-place finish in the Epsom Oaks, but won the English 1000 Guineas before that race and the Irish Oaks afterward. The three behind Blue Bunting in the Irish Oaks – Banimpire, Wonder of Wonders, and Laughing Lashes – also are expected to contest the Yorkshire Oaks, as is seventh-place Rumh, another Godolphin runner who helped make the pace for Blue Bunting at The Curragh. Crystal Capella, fourth in the Nassau for trainer Michael Stoute, and Vita Nova, a lightly raced 4-year-old sent out by Midday’s trainer, Henry Cecil, also may bear watching.

Co-featured on Thursday’s card at Goodwood is the six-furlong Lowther Stakes, in which 11 two-year-old fillies were left after final declarations.

The going at Goodwood is expected to be good to soft.