DYLAN PROVES CHAMPION
By Martin Kelly, PA Sport
Sporting Life
Dylan Thomas got the better of a thrilling battle with Ouija Board to take the Baileys Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown.
Kieren Fallon was seen at his best aboard Aidan O'Brien's colt as he galvanised the Irish Derby hero after Jamie Spencer on Ouija Board headed his mount coming into the final furlong furlong.
Dylan Thomas responded to Fallon's every call to get back on top in the shadow of the post and prevail by a neck, with Alexander Goldrun staying on to be third.
Dylan Thomas was bouncing back to form after turning in a disappointing performance in the Juddmonte International at York.
Fallon settled the colt in second as stablemate Ace set the early pace, while Spencer had Ed Dunlop's Ouija Board sitting on his heels in third.
Turning into the straight, it was evidently going to turn into a battle between the two main protagonists, with Fallon just edging to the front as Ouija Board swung wide.
The popular mare looked to be going best of all, however, and produced her customary change of gear to just get back on top.
But Spencer had reckoned without an extra effort from Dylan Thomas and he just edged it on the line.