Clarehaven and Gosden aim to chase down Pretty Polly record with Crenelle

Sunday: 2.25 NewmarketBetfair Pretty Polly Stakes (Listed) (Fillies) | 1m2f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

John Gosden is only two behind the all-time record for Pretty Polly wins held by Sir Henry Cecil with eight, and maybe the Clarehaven joint-trainer can inch closer this year.

Gosden now shares the training licence with his son Thady but prior to that has saddled some top-class fillies to win this. Taghrooda landed it in 2014 before going on to win the Oaks, while St Leger second Lah Ti Dar was successful in 2018.

This time it is Crenelle who represents the Gosdens and she comes into the race with a similar profile to Lah Ti Dar, who had won a maiden at Newbury en route to the Pretty Polly, and to Gosden’s 2016 winner Swiss Range, who had won at Newmarket’s Craven meeting.

Crenelle took the same maiden at the Craven as Swiss Range, doing well to run down Fonteyn, with the front two pulling eight and a half lengths clear.

The third, Rebel Love, has since been well beaten in a Lingfield handicap off a mark of 73 and that raises question marks over what Crenelle achieved, but she is from the right stable.

Charlie Appleby has dominated the first two days of this meeting and the Godolphin trainer saddles With The Moonlight, who was last seen finishing third here in October. That was in Listed company and an RPR of 93 equals that of Crenelle.

With The Moonlight: was last seen finishing third at this track in OctoberCredit: Megan Ridgewell

William Haggas was successful in 2019 with Maqsad and he appears to have the biggest danger to the two top-rated fillies in the shape of the twice-raced winner Cet Horizon.

She has 10lb to find with the two market leaders, but looks open to plenty of improvement.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

John Gosden, joint-trainer of Crenelle
Crenelle was unraced last year but she has progressed this season and this is an important black-type race in which we've had past success. She has stamina on her dam's side which should give her every chance of getting the trip. She has form at the track and should handle the ground.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Arion
She's filled out over the winter and ran well at the track on her debut which will stand her in good stead. She should handle the ground.

David Egan, rider of Peripatetic
She's a filly we've always thought a lot of. It's a step up in grade, but she's done well this spring and hopefully she can handle the move up to black-type company.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of With The Moonlight
She was last seen when third on slow ground in the Montrose Stakes at the track and this ground should suit her a lot better. She's wintered well and is expected to be suited by this trip.
Reporting by David Milnes

Sunday's race previews:

1.50 Newmarket: Which two runners catch the eye for this competitive staying handicap?

3.00 Newmarket: Will the Dahlia Stakes produce another star-studded roster this season?

3.40 Newmarket: O'Brien hoping Tenebrism will stay as he bids to extend 1,000 Guineas dominance

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