Yulong Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1)

Above The Curve: Fine three-year-old campaign was highlighted by Group 1 win in Prix Saint-Alary while she also scored the Group 2 Blandford over this course and distance before just being touched off in the Prix de l’Opera. That is the best form on offer and she comes into this in good fettle, having run out a comfortable winner of Group 2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud.

Goldana: Really pleasing debut for Joseph O’Brien when picking up smartly to beat race-fit Mea Domina in seven-furlong Group 3 here, promising much more over further given she won a nine-furlong listed race by six lengths in Hanover. However she failed to make an impact when running in behind the front-running Just Beautiful in the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes (fourth) over a mile at this course. Has a bit to prove now at this level.

Insinuendo: Rock solid mare who usually gives her running. Winless last season but has lots of notable form, perhaps most significantly when a neck second to Above The Curve over this course and distance. Three runs so far this year have been solid again, and she should appreciate a return to 10 furlongs having chased home Just Beautiful over a mile in Group 2 Lanwades latest.

Rosscarbery: Remarkably progressive for Paddy Twomey, joining the trainer as an 81-rated filly and now worth a figure of 110 and possibly more after a typically tough performance to win the Munster Oaks on her comeback. A lot of her form is over 12 and 14 furlongs but she was just touched off in 10-furlong Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet and a solid pace at this trip would play right into her hands. It is reasonable to expect she can step forward from her seasonal debut now and she looks a huge threat.

Stay Alert: British-trained filly has wins at listed and Group 3 level but found out on only Group 1 start (last of 14 in British Champions Fillies & Mares). Still lightly raced so scope to improve but will need to, coming in here off only an okay comeback in the Group 2 Middleton at York - five-length fifth of seven to Free Wind.

Trevaunce: Progressive filly last term, winning three of her first four starts including Group 2 Prix de la Nonette in Deauville. However she failed to make significant impact when eighth in Prix de l’Opera and so far this term has yet to show she can make that step up - sixth in Mooresbridge and last of six in Tattersalls Gold Cup.

Via Sistina: Talented mare for Joseph Tuite but has gone to a higher level since joining George Boughey, winning two of her three starts and the latest in really impressive fashion, when six lengths too good for a very smart Group 2 Dahlia Stakes field at Newmarket - smart time and form franked since. First crack at a Group 1 but she could hardly come into the race in better shape and she remains lightly raced so every chance she can step forward again.

Comhra: Looked below the top level in five starts at two but has steadily progressed on her three runs so far this term, culminating with excellent third to Tahiyra and Meditate in Irish 1000 Guineas. Every chance she can progress even further now on first start at this longer trip, given her full sister Cimeara was a Group 3 winner over a mile and six furlongs. Tough test against her elders this early in the season.

Never Ending Story: Third to Blue Rose Cen in Group 1 Marcel Boussac on final start at two and has twice again been beaten by that outstanding filly on her last two starts in French classics. That is still a fair level of form and she had some very smart fillies in behind her in the Prix de Diane, for all that she was beaten by more or less the same distance again by the winner. Should give a good account of herself.

Conclusion

A very good renewal with fillies and mares from both sides of the Irish Sea and two strands of classic form represented.

Above The Curve made all to win on her previous start in France and connections could employ similar tactics here with no obvious pace angle. That should have her rivals on high alert because Ryan Moore can’t be afforded any sort of solo run in front.

In any case, the rock solid Rosscarbery may be able to overcome a tactical contest. She set herself up for a big season with a typically tough performance on her comeback and should improve again.

Of those at bigger prices, 28/1 about Comhra looks generous given she is sure to appreciate this step up in trip and did well to defy odds of 150/1 when third to Tahiyra in the Irish 1000 Guineas.