Banimpire wins Ribblesdale Stakes Jim Bolger's Banimpire won the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot today after a thrilling battle with Field Of Miracles. The Holy Roman Emperor filly was sent off the 3-1 favourite after winning five of her 10 races, the last of which came at Cork just four days ago. Richard Hughes set the pace on Cheveley Park's Field Of Miracles and he had most of the field on the stretch turning into the home straight. Kevin Manning was several lengths down aboard Banimpire but the filly was edging closer with each stride and got on top just before the line. Field Of Miracles battled back but was a short head away at the line, with Dorcas Lane seven lengths back in third. Bolger said: "After she won at Cork this was always the plan if she came out of it all right. "We used Cork as if we were giving her a blow-out at home, we'd done it before and it was successful. "All she does is eats and sleeps and the only time she exerts herself is on the racecourse. "We'd have preferred good ground. She didn't handle it too well but she got there in the end - she's very courageous. "I'll probably find a race between now and the Irish Oaks and then we'll do what the French do and give her a break before the Prix de l'Opera."
