Arc given boost as Ouija Board gets go-ahead.

Byline: TONY ELVES

A PRIX de l'Arc de Triomphe in need of some added spice duly received it yesterday when dual Oaks heroine Ouija Board was given the green light to challenge for Europe's premier all-aged race and, at the same time, a sig-nificant gamble on North Light gathered pace.

Absent since supplementing her Epsom Classic triumph at The Curragh, Ouija Board seems set to tackle the Longchamp spectacular on Sunday week after the contest was described as the filly's 'number one option' by trainer Ed Dunlop.

News of her likely participation came as Ladbrokes promoted North Light - as big as 10-1 with the firm just 48 hours ago - to 4-1 favouritism while also removing Sulamani from their main list in the light of yesterday's Racing Post revelation that Godolphin's principal contender could miss the race.

A late withdrawal from last month's Yorkshire Oaks due to unsuitably soft ground, Ouija Board had been thought more likely to run in the Prix de l'Opera, but a series of high-profile Arc defections has seen a change of plan.

Happy with the predicted weather conditions, Dunlop - who on Saturday watched Lord Derby's charge sail clear of regular lead False Promise on the Cambridge Road Polytrack gallop - said: 'The number one option is the Arc. The weather forecast for the next ten days is favourable.'

With Ouija Board's regular rider Kieren Fallon set to team up with North Light, Dunlop yesterday admitted 'we're on the look out for a jockey', the trainer refusing to link either Johnny Murtagh - who would have ridden Ouija Board at York - or the potentially free Frankie Dettori with the mount. Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said yesterday that they would 'let the dust settle' before deciding on plans.

Vodafone Derby hero North Light now tops Ladbrokes' Arc betting after a weekend plunge. Cut to 6-1 (from 10) on Saturday on the back of a pleasing gallop, the Weinstock family's colt was first shortened to 9-2 by the firm yesterday before a subsequent trim left him 4-1 favourite. Now a best-priced 7-1, North Light usurped Sulamani as favourite with Ladbrokes, who now - like William Hill - quote Sulamani 'with a run'.

Also down to 4-1 with Victor Chandler, North Light was not the only major Arc mover yesterday as Shirocco was cut to 10-1 (from 16) with Ladbrokes and to 12-1 (from 16) with William Hill. The German Derby winner will require a new partner after Andreas Suborics picked up a three- day ban yesterday.

The likelihood of Grey Swallow reopposing his Irish Derby victim in Paris appeared to increase yesterday when Dermot Weld reported the Irish Champion Stakes fourth to be 'a bit brighter in himself'.

'His blood picture wasn't what it should have been last week and he might have picked up a slight virus infec-tion,' said Weld. 'A decision about the Arc probably won't be made until Tuesday week as we'll give him as much time as possible to show he's recovered from his run in the Irish Champion Stakes. That run flattened him a bit.'

While stressing that the decision rests with owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, Marcus Tregoning yesterday repeated his hope that last year's Arc second Mubtaker would bid to go one better in 13 days time.

Happy with the horse after his shock defeat in the Grosser Preis von Baden, Tregoning said: 'If Mubtaker hadn't run in Germany, he'd probably just about be favourite for the Arc, especially with doubts about several of the others.

'He'll therefore be left in the race until the deadline - and I hope he'll be able to run, providing the ground is suitable.'

More than happy with Grosser Preis winner Warrsan, Clive Brittain said: 'He worked this morning and we were very, very pleased with him.'