Haggas Duo Invades for Pretty Polly

Is the Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) bound for export again? There were no international representatives in the last two runnings of this top-level prize, but seven of the previous 12 editions went the way of overseas raiders.

A strong British contingent returns June 26 at the Curragh, spearheaded by a pair of impressive last-time-out winners for William Haggas in Purplepay  and My Astra .

Tom Marquand rode Purplepay to a ready success in the Prix de Sandringham (G2) at Chantilly three weeks ago and was also aboard My Astra when bolting up by 12 lengths in the listed Tennent's Lager British Stallion Studs EBF Rothesay Stakes at Ayr last month.

The top rider, who struck on his first Curragh ride when Alenquer  bagged the Tattersalls Gold Cup (G1), stays loyal to Purplepay, sixth in the Tattersalls Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1) behind Homeless Songs .

Previously third in the Criterium International (G1) when trained in France by Cedric Rossi, the €2 million (US$2,262,029) purchase loves ease in the ground so will be helped by the rain forecast around Kildare from Saturday evening into Sunday.

"I think Purplepay will enjoy the step up in trip—Tom (Marquand) certainly does—and she'll enjoy any cut in the ground, which I think is going to happen as there's rain forecast," Haggas said. "It wasn't at all an easy decision for Tom. My Astra loves cut in the ground and once we saw the forecast we scratched her from Newcastle on Friday night to reroute her here."

Haggas' recent record in Ireland is outstanding. Since saddling Urban Fox  to win this race in 2018, seven of his last 12 Irish runners in listed or group races have hit the target.

Dreamloper , trained by Ed Walker, also flies the flag for Britain. She arrives here with confidence high after making the breakthrough at group 1 level in the Prix d'Ispahan (G1) four weeks ago.

Having won both starts since stepping up to a mile and a furlong for the first time this season, this will be her first attempt at 1 1/4 miles. It's unlikely to be anything other than a help to her given she's a half sister to 1 3/4-mile winner Dreamweaver and out of a 1 1/2-mile winner.

Walker believes the Prix d'Ispahan heroine is "in great nick" to follow up her first win in group 1 company and is hopeful that stepping up in distance can suit her better than reverting to a mile.

Next month's Qatar Nassau Stakes (G1) at Goodwood has been described as the in-form 5-year-old's main target, but the timing of the Pretty Polly is perfect for Walker's regime.

Walker said: "We've had a change of heart as the plan had been for her to wait for the Falmouth Stakes next month. That race is less than three weeks before the Nassau Stakes, her main target, and the Pretty Polly fits in better."

There is clearly quality in the home team, though. La Petite Coco  was a revelation last season for trainer Paddy Twomey and looked better than ever when edging out Love  in the Moyglare ''Jewels'' Blandford Stakes (G2) over this course and distance.

However, the classy 4-year-old hasn't been seen since that excellent effort in September and she is the only runner in the line-up who hasn't run within at least the last 39 days.

Progressing from a mark of 81 to now be a 105-rated group 3 winner, connections are entitled to have a tilt at this top-level prize and supplemented her for €30,000 earlier this week.

Billy Lee stays loyal to La Petite Coco, who is rated nine pounds higher.

Stablemate Rosscarbery  has a significant race-fitness edge after running up a four-timer since making her debut for Twomey in a Dundalk maiden less than three months ago.