A highly competitive field of ten were declared for the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes on Thursday morning. The notable inclusion is Epsom Oaks winner Thundering On, whose dam won this Curragh race in 2021. The daughter of Frankel was given a Timeform rating of 124 for her smooth success in the Oaks. Only Sariska and Enable, on 125, were rated higher this century.
It was a huge step up on what she’d achieved prior, but she did so in a seriously impressive manner. The yard has won the Pretty Polly twice since 2019, including with a three year old in Iridessa.
It will be no mean feat having to reproduce that performance against her elders, particularly Estrange.
The Night Of Thunder mare is five from eight in her career. She only succumbed to Kalpana and Minnie Hauk last season, and returned this year with an easy Group 3 success. She will appreciate any ease in the going, and it will be fascinating to see how she gets on.
Paddy Twomey won the race in 2022 with La Petite Coco and fields One Look. Her latest win came over course and distance last July, and was purchased by Wathnan Racing thereafter. She returned with an eye-catching performance here in Group 2 company, shaping as if a return to this trip would suit.
Juddmonte took this with Bluestocking in 2024 and they’re represented by Red Letter. The Frankel filly has been a model of consistency throughout her career. She was second to See The Fire in the Middleton at York, and has strong form figures of 214132 here.
Other O’Brien runners & British raiders headline remainder
Beautify is the sole Aidan O’Brien trained runner, though is yet to add her Group 2 success last season.
Joseph O’Brien is represented by two others in Nyra and Wemightakedlongway. The former is a recent addition to the yard, joining from Germany having placed in their Oaks last August. The latter hasn’t been able to reproduce her form from last season, and a visor is equipped.
Venetian Lace will have to drastically reverse the Oaks form with Thundering On, but evidently struggled on the ground. Prior to that, she was an excellent third in the 1000 Guineas, the form of which has worked out very well.
Ed Walker sends Pinatubo filly Qilin Queen, who was well beaten in the Prix Aga Khan IV on seasonal debut. She wasn’t entirely disgraced there, but would have to improve markedly on all known form.
Carolina Jetstream completes the field, and would also have to improve on her best form, albeit she has progressed strongly this season.