Hanami on course for Polly repeat

Hanami will bid for back-to-back victories in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

Last year’s one-length winner of the 10-furlong contest is among a five-strong British contingent that includes James Fanshawe’s Soldera and recent Pontefract winner Chorist.

Hanami, was last seen finishing third to Soviet Song in the Group Two Ridgewood Pearl Stakes at the Curragh last month.

That was the four-year-old’s first start since finishing last year with two disappointing efforts in the Irish Oaks and Sun Chariot Stakes.

“The horse is in very good form,” said trainer James Toller. “She came out her last race well and I was quite encouraged by her run as a mile is probably a bit sharp for her and the ground was on the quicker side.

“She has been working well since the race and I am very pleased with her. You can never tell with these horses but she seems in good form and if the ground come up right then I would be hoping for a good run.

“She was entered at Ascot during the week but I took her out as she doesn’t want it too firm, so hopefully the Curragh will get some of this rain that is forecast and Seb (Sanders) will probably ride her.”

Chorist dropped in distance and class for her most recent outing but was a runaway course-and-distance winner when scoring in the Blandford Stakes last September.

Soldera was last seen finishing third in the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot but had previously been beaten by Godolphin’s Echoes In Eternity, who is also an entry in the Group One contest.

John Gosden’s Felicity is the final British entry and the home defence is headed by Jim Bolger’s Alexander Goldrun, who chased home Attraction in the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas.

She then followed up the effort by finishing fourth in the Prix de Diane Hermes and could line up alongside stalemates Danelissima and Tropical Lady.

Ballydoyle handler Aidan O’Brien has three entries – Baraka, Lucky and Royal Tigress – while Dermot Weld has entered Ivowen and Sunday Joy.

The Harry Rogers-trained Livadiya, who finished three lengths in front of Hanami when she was second in the Ridgewood Pearl, completes the field.

Geoff Wragg’s The Whistling Teal and Dubai Success are the British entries in the Betfair Curragh Cup and should they line up in the 14-furlong contest, they could face a clash with triple Irish St Leger winner Vinnie Roe.