Dettori Set For Ouija Reunion

Frankie Dettori is set to come in for the ride aboard champion mare Ouija Board in next Friday's Vodafone Coronation Cup ? provided conditions improve at the track over the week ahead.

Trainer Ed Dunlop visited Epsom yesterday to see the going for himself and expressed concerns that the recent wet spell might prevent his five-year-old from taking her chance over the course and distance of her 2004 Vodafone Oaks success.

Disappointing when only fourth in Dubai on her first start of the year, the Coronation Cup has been the target since she ran a fast-finishing third in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong next time out.

But Dunlop said: 'I just hope it doesn't rain too much more.

'We injured her at York last year by running on ground that was too soft and that would be a very silly thing to do again.

'Dubai was frustrating and so was Hong Kong, although at least it allayed our concerns that she might not be as good as she was.

'It seems likely that Ballydoyle will require Mr (Kieren) Fallon's services and I believe that Godolphin are unlikely to have a runner so hopefully Mr (Frankie) Dettori will be free to ride for us.'

Dunlop singled out renowned mudlark Shirocco as the one to beat in the Group One contest, especially if conditions remain the same.

'There is a very good ex-German horse in the race and my concern would be facing him on the ground that he likes so much,' said Dunlop.

'Teddy (Lord Derby, Ouija Board's owner) is very keen for her to run for obvious family and traditional reasons and I don't think I would ever have taken a horse of her class to Epsom twice.'

? PA Sport