Cairn Community Games Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1) 1m 2f

Bluestocking: Runner-up twice in Group 1 company last term, including the Irish Oaks here. Looked better than ever when making a winning return in a Group 2 at York last month. Cheekpieces appear to have brought further improvement in recent starts, so has to be a serious contender over what could well prove to be her optimum trip this season.

Emily Upjohn: Produced her best performance when landing last year’s Coronation Stakes at Epsom. Failed to reach those heights in subsequent starts, including when a below par fourth in this season’s renewal of that latter race.

Boasts the highest official rating in the field but no guarantee she can run to that mark here.

Lumiere Rock: Ran a career best when third in the Prix de l’Opéra over this distance last October. Had excuses on the firm ground when disappointing at the Breeders’ Cup on her next start but well beaten in the Tattersalls Gold Cup over course and distance on her reappearance.

Will need a return to her very best to get competitive in this company.

Maxus: Fairyhouse Group 3 winner last September. Made a hugely encouraging seasonal debut when just denied by White Birch here in April but failed to progress when a long way behind that same rival on her next run.

Has yet to prove she is up to this level, while most of her best form has also come with plenty of give underfoot.

Stay Alert: Made an impressive return when easily landing a Newmarket Group 2 last month. Had shown glimpses of ability at a lesser level prior to that but nothing to suggest she was a Group 1 filly.

Every possibility that she just needed time and is now the finished article at the age of five, but on the balance of form she could find a few of these too good.

Tasmania: Former French-trained dual winner makes her first start for new trainer. Finished third in Group 1 company last season. Based on collateral form, she has something to find with Lumiere Rock but every possibility she could improve this term.

Her best form has been with an ease in the ground, so any rain would certainly increase her chance.

Content: Group 3 winner at this track as a juvenile last season. Needs to step up on her three-year-old form but the extra two furlongs should definitely play to her strengths.

Not an obvious one on paper but the fact that trainer Aidan O’Brien relies on just the one runner in this Group 1 contest suggests she may be capable of better.

Francophone: Goodwood listed winner in May. Had only won a Southwell handicap off 86 the previous month. Has a bit to find on bare form, but given her rapid rate of progression the Charlie Johnston-trained filly could be dangerous to underestimate. Small fields also appear to suit the daughter of Study Of Man.

VERDICT

With question marks surrounding most of the leading contenders, recent York winner BLUESTOCKING looks the most solid option.

Trainer Ralph Beckett has his string in rude health at present and the daughter of Camelot looks better than ever this season.

Emily Upjohn would be a serious threat if back to her best, while the Aidan O’Brien-trained Content might be capable of improvement stepping up in distance.