Ouija Weaves That Old Magic

Ouija Board defied the doubters as she staged a welcome return to form at Newmarket.

Crowned Horse of the Year 12 months ago after capping a brilliant season with success in the Breeders´ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, the Ed Dunlop-trained four-year-old looked to face a straightforward task in the Princess Royal John Doyle Stakes.

But in practice the 11-8 favourite had everything to prove on just her second start of the season after a disastrous reappearance when beaten out of sight at Royal Ascot at York in June, suffering a stress fracture in the process.

However, the race itself could hardly have gone more smoothly for the winner as Frankie Dettori settled his mount at the back of the field before pulling her to the outside with half a mile to run.

Ouija Board was travelling ominously well and quickly overhauled leader Mango Mischief to accelerate clear.

Although Briolette threw down a late challenge, Dettori only had to give the 11-8 favourite a couple of cracks with the whip before easing down on the line for a two-and-a-half-length win.

The jubilant Italian said: 'She felt awesome going to post and it´s really full credit to Ed. She has had problems but the filly is really special.

'He can look to any target now. She gave me a fantastic feel, especially for a horse that has missed most of the season. I was very taken, I must say.'

While New York and the Breeders´ Cup remain the main target - Coral offering the best price of 5-2 against just 5-4 from William Hill - there is the possibility Ouija Board may run at Longchamp next weekend, either in the Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe or the Prix de l´Opera.

Dunlop added: 'I´m very pleased for her and for her owner (Lord Derby). She´s had a lot of problems, but she´s won really well.

'Frankie went a little earlier than he probably wanted to. She´s pricked her ears and kept on racing and that´s her style.

'Frankie said she´s a machine and he said the only filly he´s ridden like her was Balanchine (winner of the Oaks and Irish Derby in 1994).'

Looking at future plans, Dunlop went on: 'We won´t make any rash decisions until we have got her home and had a look at her, but Frankie said he had made sure she had a decent race to bring her on as much as possible - that´s why he pushed her right out to the line.

'We will see how she is, but all options are open to her.

'As for who will ride her in New York it has been a bit of jockey merry-go-round but we always knew it wouldn´t be easy.

'It looks increasingly unlikely that Kieren (Fallon) will be able to ride her again but when you have the present champion, the past champion and the future champion (Jamie Spencer) to choose between then you can´t complain.'

A fire alarm that led to the evacuation of the main grandstand before the race caused Dunlop further palpitations.

'After everything that has happened this season, I couldn´t believe it - I thought we would all end up stood in the middle of the Heath,' he smiled.

But while the trainer was sweating, Lord Derby said he had never been more relaxed before a race.

'Today was probably less stressful than ever before because we knew if she didn´t run well then she would be retiring honourably - we didn´t have anything to lose,' he said.

'It´s been a trying year but Ed and all of his team have done a great job.

'Ascot at York was a real letdown but she has won like a real champion again - the Horse of the Year is living up to her name.'

Fallon, rider of runner-up Briolette, was found guilty of careless riding for causing multiple interference two and a half furlongs out and suspended for two days (October 5 and 6).

Land `N Stars leapt to the head of the betting for next month´s totesport Cesarewitch as he caused a 50-1 turn-up in the two-mile Listed toteexacta Fenwolf Stakes.

Jamie Poulton´s tough performer took it up around three furlongs out and he stuck on gamely for Paul Doe to hold the challenge of Larkwing by a length and a quarter.

Sendintank came through for third the same distance back, but his racing future hangs in the balance after he finished lame.

The well-backed 3-1 favourite Tungsten Strike faded out of it after leading early on and finished well down the field.

'He´s in great form and he´ll go for the Cesarewitch unless it came up too heavy. He was sixth in it last year, beaten two and a half lengths, and is obviously progressing well with age,' Poulton said.

'John Egan is my first jockey and he has the call on mine when he wants to ride them, but I think he might struggle to get Paul off this one now.

'He should be the thereabouts - he was certainly the value at 25-1 (for the Cesarewitch) this morning!'

Those sort of prices quickly became ancient history as soon as he passed the post, and even Paddy Power´s initial offer of 10-1 was soon clipped to 8s.

This was despite the fact a 7lb penalty takes the weight of Land N´Stars up to 9st.

The sponsors also offer 8-1, Coral 7-1 and Ladbrokes just 5-1.

Sendintank´s trainer Stuart Williams said: 'It looks very unlikely he will race again - he has broken down on his near-fore.

'I will keep him comfortable until next week and then get the vets to have a look at him.'

Favourite backers received a timely boost when 13-2 market leader All Ivory got home in a good finish to the totetrifecta Handicap.

Roger Charlton´s progressive three-year-old was always prominent on the stands side before being sent on just inside the last of the seven furlongs.

Richard Hughes kept the son of Halling up to his work to beat Moayed by three-quarters of a length with Pango, first home on the far side, another half back in third.

Champion jockey-elect Jamie Spencer got another winner on the board when he booted Salamanca (10-1) home in the Listed Rosemary Stakes for Lambourn trainer Sylvester Kirk.

? PA Sport