ouija can weave magic again

By Simon Holt

George Washington is a fascinating runner in Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic. You have to say it is a race that has been a bloodbath for European visitors in recent years. We haven't won it since Arcangues sprang a major surprise in 1993 and there have been a number of high-profile failures since.

It is a very difficult race for our horses who have to adjust to the dirt surface in against top class opposition that have only ever raced on it.

George Washington is going into the complete unknown territory in the big race. He is a son of Danehill, who's progeny are unproven on the surface, and we simply have no idea as to how the 2000 Guineas winner will handle it.

You also have to wonder what sort of mood is he going to be in? He was on his best behaviour at Ascot last time in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, winning in tremendous fashion and showing all of his brilliance we saw at Newmarket in the spring.

This is very tough though. The general feeling in America is that this is a strong renewal of the Classic with Bernardini rated one of the great American horses of recent years. He is going to be a short-priced favourite.

The other European raider is David Junior who on pedigree has a better chance of handling the surface. He has been specifically trained at the race since winning the Eclipse in July but again it is a guess.

With the rain they have had at Churchill Downs, the dirt track could be sloppy and you simply can't recommended backing either of our raiders, despite their undoubted Group One ability.

We have a much better record in the Tuf and on Saturday our raiding party includes Hurricane Run.

Scoprion and Red Rocks also run and Hurricane Run is looking to return to winning ways after running - and tasting defeat - in both the Arc and Champion Stakes.

This is his third really big race in about a month and that seems to me to be a big ask, espescially as he hasn't been at his best of late. He looks increasingly quirky and has to bounce back to land this.

Scorpion came back with a seocnd to Frank Sonata at the Curragh and is a horse who stays very well. He made all the running to win the St Leger last season and while he has been difficult to train, I wonder whether he is in here to ensure a strongly-run race for Hurricane Run, who represents the same owners.

A slow gallop would play into the American hands here as English Channel and Cacique both have very good turns of foot. Scorpion may just ensure they don't get it their own way.

If that is how the race unfolds it could well suit the third European challenger Red Rocks who is a horse I have liked all season. He was second to susequent arc winner Rail Link at Longchamp before finishing a head second to Youmzain in the Great Voltigeur at York.

Red Rocks was then ridden to get the trip in the Leger and didn't really stay. Back to his best trip and with Frankie Dettori in the saddle, he could represent a very good each-way bet.

The Mile is another of our specialist races, we have had plenty of winners in it.

The feeling is the American turf horses aren't generally up to the level of the Europeans and let's hope that's the case again.

We are well represented with Araafa probably our leading contender. He was the winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas and St James' Palace Stakes before being far from disgraced when second to George Washington in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

On that form he holds Godolphin's seeming second string Librettist. Frankie Dettori has opted to ride Echo Of Light but I don't think his form measures up to that of Araafa.

Ad Valorem represents Aidan O'Brien and is a Royal Ascot winner having landed a controversial finish to the Queen Anne Stakes. There isn't much to choose between him and Araafa on a line through Court Masterpiece.

They all have a bit of a chance, and you have to bring in Sleeping Indian too, plus Champion Stakes second Rob Roy, but I don't think any are real stars.

Araafa is the best but I just don't think he is out of the top drawer. I am drawn to the locally-trained Gorella who was third after a troubled run last year. He has been in remarkably good form in the last few weeks and is a very tough filly.

If she gets the run of the race she can be too strong for the European contingent.

Have we saved best to last with Ouija Board in the Filly & Mare Turf? It's the race where most European hearts and minds are focused.

She is on her farewell tour and won't run again in Europe but could be heading off to Japan and Hong Kong.

She won this race back in 2004 and was then running on strongly when second to Interncontinental last year.

She is drawn much better this time in stall two and that will help Frankie Dettori to save ground and the only question mark is whether conditions will suit?

It has been very wet in Kentucky and she is at her very best on fastish ground but the forecast suggests it will dry up and let's hope that happens.

There are other European challengers and Satwa Queenis interesting having finished second to Mandesha at Longchamp last time.

Is she quite as good as Ouija Board? I'm not sure but she goes to post a fresh filly.

They are talking a good fight with Wait A While but the form of the American horses on turf is a few notches below. If she gets her ground then Ouija Board has every chance of giving her supporters a welcome and emotional win.