Pretty Pollyanna Solid Value Against Hot Favourite Hermosa

For many, the Coronation Stakes is all about one horse and that is Hermosa. She won the English Guineas in good style, before following up in the Irish version with even greater authority. However, she is already odds on, which will put many people off from a punting point of view, so it is elsewhere you need to look if you want to find some value. One horse that could offer that, is Pretty Pollyanna, who ran second behind the favourite last time out in the Irish Guineas.

There is a chance that Hermosa comes home well clear here, and by replicating the form of last time and being four lengths behind, Pretty Pollyanna could pick up second. There are a number of horses priced up on reputation here, while Pretty Pollyanna is bigger than those despite having the second best form in the book. She won a Group One last season, and when she did finish four lengths off the favourite, she was conceding race fitness that day, and with that under her belt today, there is hope she can get a little closer.

The one big worry has to be the ground, although I am hopeful it will dry up a little and the drier it gets, the more chance Pretty Pollyanna has of going on it. She may go on soft ground, but we simply don’t know. Trainer Michael Bell is not known for having his horses raring to go right at the start of the season, and that makes me think he left something to work on with Pretty Pollyanna, even though she was going into a huge race like the Irish Guineas. Don’t be surprised to see her get closer today.

The French filly Castle Lady has quickly become a talented horse, but the form of the French Guineas is a little suspect which puts me off her. The Sir Michael Stoute trained Jubiloso looks a great prospect for the future, but she has ran just twice in two novice races and this is a big ask on what will be just her third career start. She looks one for the future, but perhaps will struggle on the day.

This is all pointing back towards Pretty Pollyanna being the each way value in the race and that is where I am heading. If she handles the ground, her form is by far the second best in the race and she sets a very good standard as far as the places go. She could well get closer to Hermosa too, and give her a race if things go to plan.