SNOW FAIRY and Royal Ascot heroine Banimpire were among a high-class entry for this Saturday’s bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock Park.

Ed Dunlop’s dual Oaks heroine was due to make her seasonal reappearance in last weekend’s Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh but was taken out of the race due to the testing conditions.

And although she is also entered in Saturday’s Coral-Eclipse at Sandown – which is her preferred option – she is among a high-class 14 runners in Haydock’s Group Two feature.

Also a possible is the Jim Bolger-trained Banimpire, who took her tally of victories this season to five from seven starts when she landed the starts in the Ribblesdale Stakesa t Royal Ascot.

Other interesting contenders include Gertrude Bell, Vita Nova and Galivant, although the latter’s trainer, John Hills, does not expect her to line up at this stage.

Hills said: “She’s very well and she was probably the easiest winner I’ve ever had when she won at Chepstow last time.

“We’re looking to step her up in class but her Haydock entry was a bit speculative and looking at the entries, it looks extremely hot.

“At this stage I would say she’s an unlikely runner and we might take her to France for a Listed race instead. She’s a galloper more than a quickener.”

Also on Haydock’s top-class seven-race card is the bet365 Old Newton Cup. There were 29 entries at the five-day declaration stage with Mark Johnston’s Duke of Edinburgh Stakes winner Fox Hunt heads the betting with the sponsors at 6-1.

Sirvino, who was an impressive winner at Windsor at the weekend, is next best at 8-1.

TODAY’S NAP: Egyptian Lord (7.30pm Southwell).