'Not an easy decision' - has Tom Marquand picked the right one in Pretty Polly?

Sunday: 3.45 Curragh
Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1) | 1m2f | 3yo+ Fillies and Mares | RTV/RTE1

Is the Pretty Polly bound for export again? There were no international representatives in the last two runnings of this top-level prize, but seven of the previous 12 editions went the way of overseas raiders.

A strong British contingent returns for 2022, spearheaded by a pair of impressive last-time-out winners for William Haggas in Purplepay and My Astra.

Tom Marquand rode Purplepay to a ready success in the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly three weeks ago, and was also aboard My Astra when bolting up by 12 lengths in the Listed Rothesay Stakes at Ayr last month.

Purplepay: impressed when landing the Group 2 Prix de Sandringham at ChantillyCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

The top rider, who struck on his first Curragh ride when Alenquer bagged the Tattersalls Gold Cup, stays loyal to Purplepay, sixth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas behind Homeless Songs.

Previously third in the Group 1 Criterium International when trained in France by Cedric Rossi, the €2 million purchase loves ease in the ground so will be helped by the rain forecast around Kildare from Saturday evening into Sunday.

Furthermore, Haggas's recent record in Ireland is outstanding. Since saddling Urban Fox to win this race in 2018, seven of his last 12 Irish runners in Listed or Group races have hit the target.

Dreamloper, trained by Ed Walker, also flies the flag for Britain. She arrives here with confidence high after making the breakthrough at Group 1 level in the Prix d'Ispahan four weeks ago.

Having won both starts since stepping up to 1m1f for the first time this season, this will be her first attempt at 1m2f. It's unlikely to be anything other than a help to her given she's a half-sister to 1m6f winner Dreamweaver and out of a 1m4f winner.

My Astra: bolted up by 12 lengths in the Listed Tennent's Lager British Stallion Studs EBF Rothesay StakesCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

There is clearly quality in the home team, though. La Petite Coco was a revelation last season for Paddy Twomey and looked better than ever when edging out Love in the Group 2 Blandford Stakes over this course and distance.

However, the classy four-year-old hasn't been seen since that excellent effort in September and she is the only runner in the line-up who hasn't run within at least the last 39 days.

Stablemate Rosscarbery has a significant race-fitness edge after running up a four-timer since making her debut for Twomey in a Dundalk maiden less than three months ago.

Progressing from a mark of 81 to now be a 105-rated Group 3 winner, connections are entitled to have a tilt at this top-level prize and supplemented her for €30,000 earlier this week.

La Petite Coco (red and green silks): chinned Love when last seen winning the Moyglare-backed Blandford Stakes in SeptemberCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Unsurprisingly, though, Billy Lee stays loyal to La Petite Coco, who is rated 9lb higher.

Concert Hall was two and a half lengths in front of Tranquil Lady when the pair finished fourth and sixth respectively in the Oaks at Epsom.

Both need to improve to plunder this €300,000 prize, but could yet progress as three-year-olds taking on older rivals.

Walker: Pretty Polly the perfect next step for Dreamloper

Ed Walker believes Prix d'Ispahan heroine is "in great nick" to follow up her first win in Group 1 company and is hopeful that stepping up to a mile and a quarter can suit her better than reverting to a mile.

Next month's Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood has been described as the in-form five-year-old's main target, but the timing of the Pretty Polly is perfect for Walker's regime.

Walker said: "We've had a change of heart as the plan had been for her to wait for the Falmouth Stakes next month. That race is less than three weeks before the Nassau Stakes, her main target, and the Pretty Polly fits in better.

Ed Walker on Dreamloper: 'She worked well on Saturday [last week] and is in great nick'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"It's also over a mile and a quarter. She has improved so much for stepping up to nine furlongs that I don't want to go back to a mile."

He added: "Dreamloper progressed to win the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket, then took her form to another level when beating the colts in the Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp.

"She worked well on Saturday [last week] and is in great nick. It will be competitive but we're very much looking forward to it."

What they say

Paddy Twomey, trainer of La Petite Coco and Rosscarbery
It looks like a very good race. Both fillies have earned their place and we’re very much looking forward to it. La Petite Coco is very exciting and I think she’s in great form. Rosscarbery came out of the Munster Oaks very well.

William Haggas, trainer of My Astra and Purplepay
I think Purplepay will enjoy the step up in trip – Tom certainly does – and she'll enjoy any cut in the ground, which I think is going to happen as there's rain forecast. It wasn't at all an easy decision for Tom. My Astra loves cut in the ground and once we saw the forecast we scratched her from Newcastle on Friday night to reroute her here.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Concert Hall
She's in good form and we've been happy with her since Epsom. She won over a mile and a quarter at Navan earlier in the year and is coming back to the same distance here.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Tranquil Lady
Everything has gone well with her since the Oaks and we're hoping for a good run.

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