Irish filly casts spell over field at Ascot meet

Bothered and bewildered she may have appeared as she careered across the track, but Bewitched sorted herself out just enough to win the Models 1 Bengough Stakes at Ascot yesterday.

Jockey Johnny Murtagh brought the Charles O'Brien-trained Irish filly from well off the pace in the six furlong Gropup 3 event, something he had predicted would happen in his morning newspaper column.

He wrote: "Bewitched appreciates some juice in the ground, a stiff six furlongs and a good pace, conditions which she should get today. She's drawn well, in five, and, in a big field, I hope to be able to drop and take my time. So we'll need luck in running and, if we get it, Bewitched should be involved."

That's exactly what happened, but what Murtagh did not prophesy was his mount swerving right across the front of the field as she powered down the outside.

Bewitched was just clear of the rest, however, and Murtagh hauled the 6-1 chance straight so that she saw off the effort of Genki with Secret Witness back in third.

Trainer O'Brien's mother Jacqueline, widow of the legendary Vincent, owns the filly along with the Magnier family.

Bewitched has been campaigned regularly but has been allowed to feel her way to this level, where she faced hardened six-furlong animals.

"She didn't have Group One form but that's her fourth stakes race this year," said O'Brien.

"She had a penalty for her win at the Curragh last time and against older horses she has done very well. I would think that will be it for the season but she wouldn't have to find a lot of improvement on that form to make a Group One filly."

Well-backed favourite Redford, going for a hat-trick, finished well down the field.