Pretty Polly Stakes 2011

3.35 Curragh

Stobart Ireland Pretty Polly Stakes (Fillies' Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner €120,000

Pick: Midday (win)

Aoife Alainn: Rapidly progressive for Italian connections when taking a hat – trick in Rome before adding to that tally in Italian Group 1 at the end of the season, dispatching of solid yardstick with ease; Impossible to know what to expect on first run for new yard.

Midday: Took her own performances to a new level when completing a hat-trick in Group 1s last summer (Nassau, Yorkshire Oaks, Prix Vermille) & would have made it four but for awful trip in Breeders Cup F&M Turf; Ran as well as ever when taking Middleton Stakes from progressive performer and reeled in by top class colt on comeback trail in Coronation Cup last season, having been clear at 2f pole; One to beat.

Obama Rule: Sprung a shock when running out a ready winner of Group 3 here last season but not upheld that form since and readily passed over.

Snow Fairy: Improved out of all recognition last season for step up to middle distances. Completing Oaks double in empathic style here before valiant second to Midday (btn 3 lengths) in Yorkshire Oaks; didn’t stay too well in St Ledger but completed remarkable Hong Kong double at backend of last season, beating top class fields on both occasions; Should go close but may need the run.

Crysanthemum: Immense potential as a juvenile, both in pattern company when comfortably winning Listed race on debut and good attitude to gain Group 3 win over 7 furlongs here; Would have needed the run in Irish 1,000 Guineas but this still calls for a lot more.

Claiomh Solais: Steady improver this year, finding it difficult to break her maiden (did so at fourth time of asking) but running career best when fourth in Irish 1,000 Guineas (held by Misty For Me on that form); Unable to lead them a merry dance in the Coronation Stakes.

Empowering: Made steady progression thoughought last year and kept on from where she left off when making all to land 1,000 Guineas trial at Leopardstown; Not able to repeat trick when tested more fiercely in 1,000 Guineas itself and outclassed here.

Misty For Me: Hugely progressive juvenile, reversing form with Laughing Lashes to grab all the way win in Moyglare before outbattling Helleborine to win Marcel Boussac; Well beaten on comeback in Guineas but clearly needed the run and back to her true form in Irish 1,000 Guineas, picking up Together as they went further and looking as if she’d improve for trip so little disappointing off slow pace in Oaks (not stay); Can do better down in trip even though she’s faced with more difficult task today.

VERDICT: It’s great to see the return of 4 time Group 1 winner Snow Fairy and the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Misty For Me to set up a real cracker, but both will find it hard to live with the superb MIDDAY, who has looked as good as ever this season.