Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes: runner-by-runner guide and 7-2 tip

Fine strike-rate in much inferior events at Dundalk, but yet to win in six starts on turf and very unlikely that even a repeat of her length second to City Of Memphis in the Lanwades Stud Stakes would be enough to feature in the finish here. 

Well held in sixth after making a lot of the running in last week’s Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, and whilst the return of Donagh O’Connor who knows the filly well is no bad thing, there’s no evidence to suggest that this longer trip will bring about enough improvement – despite her dam winning over it - to make her competitive at this level. 

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Made a big impression when running away with a Goodwood maiden on her three-year-old debut, but not rushed thereafter, partly due to a preference for slower ground.  

Returned the following season with a Pinnacle Stakes win at Haydock, followed that with a narrow success in the Lancashire Oaks over the same C&D on her next start, and then far from disgraced when second to an on-a-roll Minnie Hauk - who was completing a quartet of Oaks wins - in the Yorkshire Oaks. Ran almost as well when second to Kalpana in the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes on her final start that term. 

Made a pleasing return to action when easily defending her Pinnacle Crown (albeit up at Carlisle this time) last month, beating two progressive four-year-olds, and looks a major player here down in trip as long as the ground doesn’t quicken considerably. 

Close third in the German Oaks last season for Waldemar Hickst but only managed one win in Germany from nine starts. 

Built on reappearance outing in a listed race here when running Sparan Nua close in the Munster Oaks at Cork earlier this month, never far from the pace and only headed late on (after his jockey dropped his whip). 

Drops in trip here, which might not be ideal for a filly who clearly stays well. 

Experienced mare who has always run this course very well, ever since scoring by six lengths on debut back in 2023.  

Highlights last year included Express Stakes (over a mile) and Meadow Court Stakes over this trip, but ran equally well when a close third in the Prix de l’Opera on her first start at Group One level in October. 

Pleasing return to action when a staying-on fourth (one length behind Carolina Jetstream) in the Lanwades Stud Stakes here last month, shaping as if likely to come forward significantly for the run, and looks sure to play a bigger part today. 

Won a listed event at Newbury and a Group Two at Longchamp either side of a poor effort in the Oaks last season, but again disappointed behind Minnie Hauk when last of four in the Yorkshire equivalent. Similar story when only beating two home in the Prix de l’Opera on her final start that season. 

More encouraging signs – certainly considering the lofty company – when beaten less than eight lengths by Daryz in the Prix Aga Khan on her belated return to action last month, having previously scoped dirty before a run at Newmarket. 

Looks up against it once more, however.  

Consistent filly who won twice at a lesser level last season and is closely matched with several of these on her closing third to Barnavara in the Blandford Stakes over C&D. 

Shaped as if better for the run when third on soft ground here in April and proved that to be the case when taking a decent step forward to be second to classy mare See The Fire in the Middleton Stakes at York.  

Winner failed to fire against Ombudsman and co last week, but repeat of that effort would put her firmly in the mix. 

Hasn’t added to her tally since winning the Salsabil Stakes at Navan last April, but did run well when fourth in this race last term, when second to Minnie Hauk in the Irish Oaks here and when fourth, beaten just half a length, behind Barnavara in the Prix de l’Opera. 

Has failed to get near her best in three listed starts this term, including in cheekpieces the last twice, but new headgear could facilitate a clear career-best performance now returned to the scene of some of her better efforts. 

Lightly-raced three-year-old filly whose best effort at two came when second to Precise in the Moyglare Stud Stakes here in September. 

Modest efforts so far this season, including when beaten six lengths by the same rival in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last month on her first try at a mile. 

Will need to take a big step forward over this longer trip (should stay on breeding; dam won up to a mile and a half and is a half-sister to Derby runner-up US Army Ranger), but that not totally out of the question. 

Failed to win in two starts at two, but probably should be unbeaten this season, having been committed for home early enough when a short-head second on her seasonal reappearance at Leopardstown. 

Bettered that form significantly with a smooth-travelling Salsabil Stakes win at Navan just 13 days later, and then reached new heights with a three and a quarter length defeat of Legacy Link in the Oaks at Epsom last time. 

Her dam Thundering Nights won this race (as a four-year-old in a very weak renewal) and she has obvious form claims as she attempts to emulate her on this first start outside of her own age group. 

Landed a six-furlong Chelmsford maiden on debut and though winless since, has run some good races in defeat, most notably when placed in the Fillies’ Mile and the 1000 Guineas, both over a mile at Newmarket, either side of her winter break. 

Unsuited by the going when last of nine at Epsom last time, her first try at a mile and a half, but shouldn’t be judged on that run and this intermediate trip could prove ideal. 

Improvement is expected from course specialist One Look, whose trainer Paddy Twomey won this in 2022 with La Petite Coco and has had this race in his sights for some time, but she might lack the class of Oaks winner Thundering On and British raider Estrange. 

It’s dangerous to underestimate Joseph O’Brien, who already has two wins in this race to his name, including with Thundering On’s dam, but the Epsom race fell into his filly’s lap somewhat and this promises to be a different test. 

Marginal preference – albeit with some concerns if the ground quickens significantly - is for Estrange, who ran to a high standard first time up, and whose form with Minne Hauk and Kalpana has more depth. 

Beautify is a potential improver for this longer trip, but those who like to take a chance could do worse than back Wemightakedlongway each-way at 66-1. She was given a more patient ride than usual when fourth 12 months ago but came home well, and can hopefully latch onto them earlier this time around in her new visor.