D-Day for Pretty Pollyanna

Trainer Michael Bell has described Saturday’s Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes as ‘D-Day’ for Pretty Pollyanna.

The two-year-old is favourite with the bookmakers to triumph in the Group 1 contest at the Rowley Mile, having won on three of her four starts in 2018.

Those performances have also propelled the daughter of Oasis Dream to the top of the betting market where next year’s 1,000 Guineas is concerned.

Subsequently the level of expectation will be high on the Gredley family-owned filly this weekend, but Bell is confident the Prix Morny winner, who was put through her paces by Ayr Gold Cup-winning jockey Cameron Noble up Long Hill on Monday, is primed to live up to her billing.

“The Cheveley Park Stakes is D-Day for Pretty Pollyanna and it looks a strong race. Signora Cabello merits a lot of respect,” said the Fitzroy House-based trainer.

“We have had a trouble-free run since the Prix Money so we are looking forward to the race.

“I have deliberately kept a bit of flesh on her, she looks big and well and she has not been hard-trained.

“She ticks all the boxes in the form book, and the ground is going to be good and fast, which suits her.

“All in all I could not be happier and I would hope there is plenty more to come next year, particularly with the Guineas in mind.”

Pretty Pollyanna, who is named after Bill Gredley’s daughter Polly, also holds an entry for another Rowley Mile race later in the year – the Group 1 bet365 Fillies’ Mile.

However, Bell has insisted that no decision will be made on the filly’s immediate future until after her weekend’s exploits.

“She does have another entry and it is a conversation we need to have after she has run,” added Bell, whose father Brian owned Pass The Peace, winner of the Cheveley Park Stakes 30 years ago.

“She is in the Fillies’ Mile, but a lot depends on how she is after the race.

“We will have to sit down with the Gredleys and discuss what is best for her, and that is what will be done.

“They understandably love having runners down here at Newmarket.

“They are big owner-breeders and are heavily involved in decision-making, so no decision will made on where she runs next until we have all had a chat.”