• 1000 Guineas

Blue Bunting surges to 1000 Guineas triumph

Frankie Dettori celebrated victory in his customary fashion © PA Photos

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Blue Bunting charged up the inside over the final two furlongs to clinch the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday.

Ridden by Frankie Dettori and part of the Godolphin stable, Blue Bunting was nevertheless considered an outside shot for the victory in the prestigious mile event after some mixed form on previous outings and suggestions the race was not at a length that suited her.

But she took advantage of some misfortune for a number of the favourites - the fancied Memory faltered at the start, for example, while favourite Moonlight Cloud never escaped the pack to challenge at the death - to overhaul the two front-runners on the rail over the final furlong to win by around three quarters of a length.

Together was the unfortunate filly relegated to a close second, with Maqaasid in third barely a length behind the winner. The two had been locked in their own duel for much of the race after springing a few lengths clear, but were unable to maintain their pace over the final stages.

"That was great and a pleasant surprise," jockey Dettori told Channel 4 afterwards. "The lads had been telling me she was working well, but obviously she had a lot to prove on form.

"Things worked out really well as they went a good pace, which was what I needed.

"It's fantastic as I haven't won a Classic for a while and I'm based here in Newmarket. This is my home town."

Connections of the winner had suggested before the race that the filly was more suited to the Oaks, and Dettori seemed to confirm that the daughter of Dynaformer will now be prepared for the second fillies Classic of the season.

"I'm delighted for the Godolphin team," Dettori added. "Mahmood [trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni] told me she was more of an Oaks filly, so what ever she was going to do today was a bonus. To win is fantastic."

Al Zarooni confirmed as much, adding: "I'm very pleased with the filly and this is my first Classic in England.

"We always thought she was a mile-and-a-half filly and an Oaks filly and she wanted softer ground. Today she has won when we thought everything was wrong!

"She's still an Oaks filly, but she has done very well."

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