Ouija Set To Return To Epsom Downs For Vodafone Coronation Cup

Ouija Board, heroine of the 2004 Vodafone Oaks, is on course to return to Epsom Downs on Vodafone Ladies Day, Friday, June 2 and bid to become the first filly to win the £250,000 Vodafone Coronation Cup since In The Groove in 1991.

The Lord Derby-owned mare was successful by a breathtaking seven lengths in the 2004 Vodafone Oaks, run over the same course and distance as the Vodafone Coronation Cup (one mile and a half miles) Oaks, the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and the 2005 Hong Kong Vase.

Trainer Ed Dunlop revealed today: “Ouija Board is an intended runner in the Vodafone Coronation Cup, and will go for the race providing I am and has subsequently collected a further three Group One prizes - the 2004 Darley Irish happy with her.

“She’s been half way round the world twice for her two runs this year, in Dubai and Hong Kong, and a lot of horses will be having their first run back at Epsom Downs, but she has come out of her last race in very good condition and I am very happy with her.

“Although she hasn’t run at Epsom Downs since her impressive Oaks victory, I’m sure she will handle the track again, and we are hoping for decent ground.”

Shirocco, hero of the 2005 Breeders’ Cup Turf at Belmont Park, is also among 18 top-class horses going forward after the latest acceptance stage for the Group One contest, details of which are revealed today, Wednesday, May 17.

The Andre Fabre-trained five-year-old made an impressive return to action when successful in the Group Two StanJamesUK.com Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on May 7, when he was the facile three-and-a-half length victor. After that contest, connections nominated the Vodafone Coronation Cup as the likely target for the Monsun horse, who will be bidding to give his trainer a sixth victory in the 12-furlong contest following Saint Estephe (1986), In The Wings (1990), Apple Tree (1994), Sunshack (1995) and Swain (1996).

Champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, successful last year with Yeats, is set to rely on Ace, runner-up to Shirocco in last season’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, while the second Irish-trained contender is the John Oxx-trained Kastoria, a Listed winner at Navan on her latest start.

Godolphin, triumphant with Daylami (1999) and Mutafaweq (2001), has three entries remaining - 2004 Arc de Triomphe runner-up Cherry Mix, Portrayal and The Geezer, who finished second to Scorpion in the 2005 St Leger when in the care of David Elsworth.

Owner Khalid Abdulla looks to have two live chances in Day Flight and Notable Guest, who were separated by a length when first and second respectively in the Group Three Betfred Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown Park on April 28.

Other significant names going forward include Walk In The Park, runner-up behind Motivator in the 2005 Vodafone Derby, last season’s Vodafone Oaks second Something Exciting, the veteran Mubtaker and Hard Top, last season’s Great Volitigeur Stakes winner, who will be aiming to put his disappointing seasonal reappearance in the StanJamesUK.com Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket behind him.

The Vodafone Coronation Cup is run on Friday, June 2 - Vodafone Ladies Day at the Vodafone Derby Festival.

Strong Vodafone Derby Festival Handicaps In Prospect

The two big handicaps at the Vodafone Derby Festival - the #75,000 Vodafone “Dash” and the #75,000 Vodafone Rose Bowl - are both building into very strong contests.

A total of 40 entries go forward for the Vodafone “Dash” on Vodafone Derby Day, Saturday, June 3 - run over the fastest five furlongs in the world - while there are 41 acceptors for the Vodafone Rose Bowl, which is run over 10 furlongs on Ladies Day, Friday, June 2.

Course In Great Shape

Andrew Cooper, Director of Racing at Epsom Downs, reported today: “I am pleased with the condition of the course at the moment and if we were racing today, I would describe the going as good.

“The weather forecast is for an unsettled week ahead.”