BRITISH challenger Nezwaah claimed Group 1 glory in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

Roger Varian's four-year-old was taking a significant step up in class having made a winning reappearance in a listed event at Ayr in May and was a 13/2 shot in the hands of Andrea Atzeni.

The admirable Creggs Pipes cut out the running for much of the 10-furlong showpiece but having set a furious pace, she predictably folded in the straight. Zhukova hit the front inside the final two furlongs, but Nezwaah ranged alongside soon after and the further she went, the better she looked.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained Rain Goddess (6/1) came from out of the pack to try to lay down a late challenge, but Nezwaah was not for catching and was comfortably on top at the line. Turret Rocks (25/1), trained by Jim Bolger, finished third.

The big disappointment of the race was 15/8 favourite Journey, who beat only the fading Creggs Pipes home.

Atzeni said: "She was very impressive and travelled beautifully. She was a little bit slow into her stride. When I took the blindfold off she stood there for a couple of strides, but she travelled beautifully into the race and picked up really well.

"I got quite a smooth run and just had to wait to get a gap.

"Two days ago we didn't know if she was going to run or not because of the weather, but Roger felt the ground was going to be fine for her and she's proved him right."

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