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Pair clash again after Prix Morny showdown

Pretty Pollyanna and Signora Cabello clash for a second time as they headline a fascinating renewal of the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The pair fought out a terrific duel at the business end of the Prix Morny at Deauville six weeks ago, with Pretty Pollyanna rallying in admirable fashion to get home three-quarters of a length to the good.

Neither has raced since and Pretty Pollyanna’s trainer Michael Bell has deliberately not done too much with the daughter of Oasis Dream.

“I have not over-trained her and she is still carrying condition, which should stand her in good stead next year,” he said.

“She does hold an entry in the Fillies’ Mile and is joint-favourite for that race, but we need to get Saturday out of the way before thinking about that.

“I have always looked forward to stepping her up in trip. She does not look like a short runner and I am very confident that she will get a mile.

“All I would say is that if she has a hard race on Saturday, either in victory or defeat, it would make her running again less likely.”

Signora Cabello’s trainer John Quinn reports his charge to be ready to take on her old adversary.

“She’s been fine. She had an easy week after France and then we’ve just prepped her for Saturday,” the Malton handler told At The Races.

“She did her last piece of work on Sunday morning and we were happy with her.

“It’s difficult to compare, but The Wow Signal was the best two-year-old colt we’ve trained and she is by far the best two-year-old filly we’ve trained.

“She’s never been asked to run beyond six (furlongs) but there is stamina in her pedigree so we certainly won’t be ruling anything out.”

The Mackem Bullet may have lost out by a nose on the line to Fairyland in the Lowther Stakes at York last month, but emerged with great credit and subsequently changed hands, although she remains with trainer Brian Ellison.

Her new owners supplemented her for £20,000 at the confirmation stage and Ellison expects her to run another big race.

“She’s obviously been bought by new owners and we’ll see how she gets on in this as to her future, if she qualifies she could go to the Breeders’ Cup. The owners have bought her to breed from,” said the Malton handler.

“She’s a smashing filly, who has improved with every run. She improved from Ascot to York and I think she’s improved since York.

“She was only a nose behind Fairyland in the Lowther, yet is four times the price – I can’t understand it.

“The favourite (Pretty Pollyanna) looks a very good filly, but if one of the other fancied ones disappoints I’d like to think we’ll be bang there to take advantage.”

Fairyland is one of three Aidan O’Brien runners, along with Gossamer Wings and So Perfect, as the Ballydoyle trainer bids to take this prestigious prize for the third year running.

O’Brien said of Fairyland: “She’s in good form. We thought that she would come forward from York and she seems to be working nicely. We’re looking forward to seeing her run again.”

He added: “So Perfect ran very well in the Phoenix Stakes and we were delighted with her run. We’ve been happy with her work since then as well.”

Gossamer Wings sports first-time blinkers and O’Brien said: “She’s a fast filly and we think that when she gets to the front she doesn’t do much. She seems to be in good form.”

Lady Kaya has proven form at this level, having finished second to Skitter Scatter in the Moyglare Stakes at the Curragh.

However, as that race was less than a fortnight ago, trainer Sheila Lavery is concerned this might come too soon.

“She travelled over there very well and we’re happy to take our chance,” said the County Meath handler.

“I think Newmarket will suit her way of running. The only big worry I have is that it is soon after the Moyglare.

“She came home from that, ate up and hasn’t turned a hair. Until you put them back on the track you don’t know, her being a two-year-old and travelling over, but she is giving no indication she’s suffering from her racing.”

Lady Kaya will be ridden by Robbie Colgan, who is better known in jump circles but has struck up a good association with the filly and been in the plate for all her races.

“I can’t wait. It’s great to get a ride in a Group One,” he said.