Ouija Board storms to Oaks double

Ouija Board completed a famous double with victory in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh today.

A brilliant winner of the Epsom equivalent in June, the Ed Dunlop-trained filly took it up two furlongs from home under Kieren Fallon and ran on too strongly for Punctilious.

Hazarista did best of the home-trained brigade, putting in a strong finish to be third.

Danelissima cut out much of the running, but Epsom second All Too Beautiful took over turning for home, with Punctilious virtually upsides.

Ouija Board was taking closer order all the time, however, and she responded well when Fallon asked her to quicken.

Punctilious, 10 and a half lengths behind Lord Derby’s filly at Epsom when third, tried to rally and lost little in defeat, but the 4-7 favourite was always holding her and finished a comfortable length to the good.

Ouija Board was becoming the 10th filly to complete the English/Irish Oaks double and the first since Henry Cecil’s Ramruma in 1999.

Dunlop, landing his second success in the race after Lailani in 2001, was quick to pay tribute to his star.

“Her great attribute is her temperament and that has helped her today. She’s proved herself to be a champion and it is fantastic to win another Classic,” he said.

“She is in the Juddmonte International and the Yorkshire Oaks, but we’ll just take her home and make no rash decisions.”

Simon Crisford, racing manager to Godolphin, said of the runner-up: “We’re very happy with that performance. She is so consistent. It would be lovely to win a Group One with her before the season ends and that will be the target now.”

William Hill immediately cut Ouija Board to 10-1 from 12-1 for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October.

Punctilious was cut to 12-1 from 16-1 for the St Leger with Ladbrokes, who dropped the disappointing All Too Beautiful from the betting for the Doncaster Classic.