Blue Wind bliss for Banimpire

THE Jim Bolger trained Banimpire is on course for a crack at the Etihad Airways Irish 1,000 Guineas following another gutsy victory in the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes at Naas last night.

Ridden by Kevin Manning, the tough and talented Holy Roman Emperor filly proved too strong for Spin (best of Aidan O’Brien’s four runners) and Mid Mon Lady to complete a hat-trick of stakes race victories, having already landed the Group 3 P W McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown (Recital finished third) and the listed Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes at Gowran Park.

Sent off 5/2 second favourite, Banimpire had the measure of all rivals through the last two furlongs, but idled in front and had only three-quarters to spare at the line.