Bocca impresses in the Dance Design

The Jessica Harrington trained Bocca Baciata ran out an impressive winner of the Group Three Dance Design Fillies Stakes.

The daughter of Big Bad Bob beat both Pleascach and Diamondsandrubies in the Salsabil Stakes at Navan in April before finishing fifth in the Irish Guineas.

She disappointed at Royal Ascot on her next start before finished an unlucky in running third to Wedding Vow on her last start in the Kilboy Estate Stakes over the course and distance at the Curragh.

Sent off the 11/4 favourite today she was settled towards rear by Fran Berry.

She travelled strongly into contention from over two furlongs out and hit the front with over a furlong left to race, keeping on strongly when ridden, going on to score by four lengths. Easter (15/2) kept on to take second under Joseph O'Brien for his father Aidan while Brooch (10/3) was a further neck back in third under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.

Jessica Harrington said afterwards: "I'm delighted to have her back as we were having a little bit of a difficult summer with her.

"Fran said she felt like she did in Navan today. She likes that ground. I haven't made any plans and it's all about the ground.

"She's in the Blandford Stakes here and may come back if the ground is okay but wouldn't if there was any mention of firm.

"The mile-and-a-quarter seems to suit here but towards the end of the year she may go up to a mile-and-a-half as she keeps galloping."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson