FOR the second year in a row, Mecca's Angel light up York racecourse last Friday, coming home with ease in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes.

Around 3mm of rain on the day convinced connections to let her take her chance and she grabbed the opportunity in tremendous fashion.

Brilliant 12 months ago when scuppering American raider Acapulco, the Michael Dods-trained mare repeated the trick as she swept down the Knavesmire straight to become the first back-to-back winner since Borderlescott in 2009 and the first mare to defend their crown.

The expected fast early pace was set by Take Cover, Thesme and Iffranesia, but 9-2 chance Mecca's Angel was hot on their heels.

Given the office by Paul Mulrennan, Mecca's Angel set sail for home and flew to the line two lengths clear of Limato, with the trailblazing Take Cover another two lengths away in third.

Mulrennan said: "She's a very special filly, she's an aeroplane on her day - she's the best and that's probably her best performance. She's great for everyone involved."

A delighted Michael Dods said: "I had a sleepless night last night because they weren't going to put any water on and I thought 'what if the rain doesn't come in time?'.

"Driving here today I got to within half an hour of the track and it was raining.

"I talked to the jockeys after the first and walked it. I said to the owner I'd be happy to let her run as it would be good ground come the race.

"This is the ground she wants. She doesn't want it soft. On good ground she's got another two gears.

"I said to Paul just keep it simple - jump, travel, take a lead and when you're happy press the button. That's what he did, she's quickened away and had it won two out."

Top jockey Ryan Moore is to make a low-key return to action with one ride booked at Newmarket this afternoon.

The star jockey has been absent since Glorious Goodwood due to a non-specified injury, with his last competitive ride being for Aidan O'Brien on Alice Springs in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville on July 31.

But Moore is now set to partner Spatial, trained by Sir Michael Stoute, in the opening Maiden Fillies' Stakes at the headquarters of British racing.

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Moore said: "I'm pleased to say that I will be back riding at Newmarket on Friday. I am on Spatial in the opening race.

"I have been riding out for a couple of weeks, but it made sense to give the injury time to completely settle and heal before I started race-riding.

"There was simply no point in rushing back, with such a busy autumn campaign both domestically and internationally, and I have been having physio every day and generally keeping myself busy.

"It seems a long while since I rode Alice Springs in the Rothschild at the end of last month, but I am obviously very happy to be back."

The saddest news of the week broke on Tuesday evening when popular racing journalist, and successful broadcaster, Tom O'Ryan had died at the age of 61. He had been battling lung cancer.

O'Ryan, Racing Journalist of the Year in 2002, had also been a talented Flat jockey and one of the leading apprentices of his era.

Starting his career as a 16-year-old weighing 6st 2lb, he partnered top-class performers Gunner B and Alverton on course and Sea Pigeon, Night Nurse, Little Owl and Alverton in home work - a quartet who won four Champion Hurdles and two Cheltenham Gold Cups.

O'Ryan rode for Pat Rohan, Peter Easterby and as a freelance for 12 years before weight forced him to turn his hand to journalism. He soon made an impact, working as a racereader for Raceform and joining the Racing Post as northern correspondent as well as becoming a presenter and pundit for Racing UK, a job I was proud to share with him.

Through all his writing, his knowledge and love of horses shone through and he continued to ride work for Malton trainer Richard Fahey as well as working as a jockey coach helping the careers of many aspiring riders.

Among the first to pay condolence was Fahey, who said: "Devastated to say Tom O'Ryan passed away today. Can't say how much we will all miss him. We've lost the voice of the north."

Tom had a depth of knowledge that was only matched by his passion for the sport, I will miss him.