Hanami ready for Curragh defence

Hanami will face five rivals as she bids to follow up last year’s win in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

James Toller’s charge ran out a one-length winner of the 10-furlong contest last term and faces fellow British runners Chorist and Soldera in this year’s renewal.

Ivowen, Livadiya and Alexander Goldrun make up the home team in the race, which will be run for the first time as a Group One event.

Toller reported earlier in the week that any forecast rain would be welcome for the daughter of Hernando, who has failed to score since her Pretty Polly win.

However, she did put up a pleasing display on her seasonal debut when chasing home Soviet Song at the Kildare track, when Livadiya finished three-lengths in front of her in the runner-up’s spot.

William Haggas will saddle recent Pontefract winner Chorist, who scored over the course and distance last September when landing the Irish National Stud Blandford Stakes.

The James Fanshawe-trained Soldera was third in the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot last week and the Polish Numbers filly steps up to a mile and a quarter for the first time on Saturday.

In contrast, Dermot Weld’s Ivowen drops down in trip having been campaigned over a mile and a half on her most recent outings in handicap and Listed company.

Alexander Goldrun has proven Group One form having chased home Attraction in the Boylesports Irish 1000 Guineas, with Jim Bolger’s charge going down by just a length on that occasion.

The three-year-old, who receives weight from all of her rivals, finished a credible fourth in the Prix de Diane Hermes on her most recent outing, just two lengths behind the winner after suffering trouble in running.

The field is completed by Harry Rogers’ Livadiya who, in addition to chasing home Soviet Song, finished runner-up to Powerscourt in the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup on her penultimate start.