It threw up two Group 1 winners last year - who should we look out for in the Pretty Polly this time?

The Oaks market is in its infancy and this Newmarket card is traditionally the first point in the season it receives a shot in the arm. One Classic often leads to another and the 1,000 Guineas may reveal a leading Epsom contender, although so might the Pretty Polly. 

There are more noteworthy Oaks trials than the Pretty Polly, namely those around the corner at Chester, Lingfield and York, but the previous running introduced us to two top-class fillies. 

While Friendly Soul and Kalpana never took their chance at Epsom, they went on to snare autumn Group 1s at Ascot and Longchamp. 

Friendly Soul continued a theme of Pretty Polly domination for the Gosdens. She was the yard’s seventh winner since 2014 and stable jockey Kieran Shoemark has shunned Life Is Beautiful to ride the once-raced Sand Gazelle, who is half a stone inferior to her stablemate on adjusted Racing Post Ratings.

Still, there was plenty to like about Sand Gazelle’s debut success against the run of the race at Kempton in December and Gosden-trained pair Friendly Soul and Lah Ti Dar managed to capture this on their second start.

Inexperience is evident among all of these fillies. Anna Swan (sixth in the Fillies’ Mile) and Ascendant Stakes runner-up Qilin Queen are the only runners to have contested a Pattern race, something Falakeyah may be doing before long. 

The daughter of New Bay looked out of the top drawer when making a sparkling winning debut at Wolverhampton in November, impressing with some fast late splits.

Janey Mackers: made a bright impression at Doncaster on her second startCredit: John Grossick

Falakayeh has a more prominent position in the Oaks market than the other Epsom hopefuls, although another New Bay filly catches the eye in stylish Doncaster winner Janey Mackers.

David Menuisier was toying with the idea of running Janey Mackers in the 1,000 Guineas earlier in the week, but head presumably ruled heart. She is bred for this extra two furlongs.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

What they say

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, owners of Anna Swan
She showed us plenty last year, she's wintered well and William Haggas is happy with her. This is a nice starting point and the further she goes the better.

Jim Crowley, rider of Falakeyah
I think she's a talented filly. Her work's been good at home and the [Owen Burrows] stable is in form. She was showing plenty of speed early on and she's relaxing in her work now so we're going a mile and a quarter with her. We're looking forward to her.

David Menuisier, trainer of Janey Mackers
She's in very good form and ready to start again. The ground is a bit of an unknown and I'd have preferred to start her on good ground but there doesn't seem to be much rain around, so we'll try her.

John Gosden, joint-trainer of Life Is Beautiful and Sand Gazelle
Sand Gazelle has been a bit slow to come to hand as we had frosts here until a fortnight ago and some of the fillies have taken a bit of time. This looks a nice starting point for her and she should enjoy the trip. Life Is Beautiful is more forward and ran a nice race back the other day. This looks a black-type opportunity for her. 

Ed Walker, trainer of Qilin Queen
This has long been the target for her and the weather is no worry as she needs fast ground. She improved with every race last season and is an exciting filly who's entered in the Oaks.

James Owen, trainer of Trad Jazz
I'm looking forward to her. She's two from two. This is her first run on turf but she's worked nicely on it. It's a big step up in class but it will be nice to see how she runs.
Reporting by David Carr

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