Pretty Pollyanna to skip Irish Champions Weekend for shot at Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket later this month

PRETTY POLLYANNA is to swerve Irish Champions Weekend in favour of a race closer to home.

The filly will bypass the Molyglare Stud Stakes and instead take on the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket later this month.

She had been expected to step up to seven furlongs for the Group 1 at the Curragh on Sunday but ground concerns have forced Michael Bell to re-think.

The six furlong Group 1 at the end of the month at Newmarket is now the juvenile's target.

Joint-owner Tim Gredley said: "The plan is to keep her for the Cheveley Park. It was going to be a little bit complicated getting her out to Ireland and they had a lot of rain on Saturday morning.

"We were really keen to have a go at the Moyglare and try seven furlongs, as we are pretty sure she will stay over seven and a mile.

"The travelling can take a lot out of them and if we went out there and were unlucky with the ground, it puts you on the back foot straight away.

"The Cheveley Park is on our own door step so we don't have to do as much travelling and it makes a lot more sense for the welfare of the horse.

"If it all goes well in the Cheveley Park, she is entered in the Fillies' Mile so she could have a go at that.

"She has come out of her last race really well and Michael Bell is happy with her.

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"She had a bit of battle in the last half a furlong, but she was comfortably on top against a five-furlong specialist (Signora Cabello). The nice thing is we know we have a talented filly.

"We would have been confident going to the Moyglare, but just for the welfare of the horse, we think it is better to be patient."