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Pretty Pollyanna team count down to Signora Cabello rematch in Cheveley Park

Pretty Pollyanna is surveyed by left to right Bill Gredley, Tim Gredley, Michael Bell and Silvestre de Sousa after her workout
Pretty Pollyanna is surveyed by left to right Bill Gredley, Tim Gredley, Michael Bell and Silvestre de Sousa after her workout

The Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes cannot come quickly enough for connections of ante-post favourite Pretty Pollyanna, who is heading for a fascinating rematch with old foe Signora Cabello at Newmarket on Saturday week.

A general 11-10 chance for what is likely to be her swansong for the campaign, the daughter of Oasis Dream had the luxury of working adjacent to the race venue on Wednesday morning when covering six furlongs on the watered gallop under Silvestre de Sousa.

Pretty Pollyanna is also at the forefront of the ante-post market for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas at around 9-1 with most firms – the last filly to win the Cheveley Park and go on to land the Classic was Special Duty in 2010.

After watching the workout, co-owner-breeder Tim Gredley said: "The next ten days are going to be a bit stressful, but we won't mind if the ground stays on the quick side as it suits Pretty Pollyanna better than soft which is one of the reasons we didn't take her to Ireland last weekend.

"Silvestre was pleased with her this morning and she's always liked that gallop, which is much the same as the Rowley Mile."

Pretty Pollyanna conquered Royal Ascot winner Signora Cabello when landing the Group 1 Prix Morny at Deauville last time and had originally been pencilled in for last weekend's Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh, won by the progressive Skitter Scatter.

Trainer Michael Bell said: "It's difficult to say how Pretty Pollyanna would have got on in Ireland, but Skitter Scatter is obviously a high-class filly who has worked her way up the ranks.

"Our filly is a fresh horse having only started racing in June and has only run four times since then. We're counting down to the Cheveley Park."

John Quinn, trainer of Signora Cabello, is looking forward to the rematch and said: "I've been happy with her since the Prix Morny. She seems in good fettle and worked well the other morning.

"When I heard Pretty Pollyanna was going to give Ireland a miss and go to the Cheveley Park my reaction was that it would make a better horserace.

"They are two exceptional fillies and I'm sure the race will attract some other very good fillies who may go under the radar. There's no reason to be negative about the rematch.

John Quinn, trainer of Group 1-entered maiden winner Dubai Empire at Musselburgh on Saturday
John Quinn: 'presence of Pretty Pollyanna will make it a better horserace'

"The Cheveley Park will be another day and Signora Cabello has coped with all kinds of different tracks: uphill, flat, Ascot and Maisons-Laffitte, so maybe the Rowley Mile will bring out the best in her."

He added: "Signora Cabello has only encountered fast ground to this point. If it happened to come up soft at Newmarket, who knows how any of the fillies would cope with it."

Pretty Pollyanna is a top-priced 5-4 chance for the Cheveley Park with Signora Cabello 7-2.


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David MilnesNewmarket correspondent

Published on 19 September 2018inNews

Last updated 08:39, 20 September 2018

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