Peeping Claims Polly Prize

Peeping Fawn landed her first Group One success when powering home in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.

The Aidan O´Brien-trained filly finished second in the Vodafone Oaks at Epsom last time but she proved too smart for Speciosa in this 10-furlong event.

Kieren Fallon´s mount, sent off the 7-4 favourite, ran out a two-length winner over Pam Sly´s British raider with West Wind back in third.

Micky Fenton set out to make all aboard Speciosa and last year´s 1000 Guineas heroine was still leading the pack turning for home.

However, they were lining up to challenge in behind and Fallon delivered Peeping Fawn, whose only previous win had come in a Naas maiden, with a perfectly-timed run.

Speciosa proved most game in holding on for second at odds of 8-1 while French Oaks winner West Wind had to settle for third under Johnny Murtagh.

The placed horses appeared to be a little tight for room in the closing stages and a stewards´ inquiry was called, although it did not affect Peeping Fawn.

Officials later confirmed the placings following their inquiry.

O´Brien said: 'She is a big, strong filly and is what a racehorse should look like ? she is very powerful behind.

'She is a typical Danehill and really tries, and she is out of a Sadler´s Wells mare so there is toughness there too.

'The plan is to come back here for the Oaks and I hope all goes well between now and then.'

Fallon said: 'She is one of the toughest fillies that I have had anything to do with. She just keeps progressing and progressing.

'She has stepped up everytime and that is her seventh run of the season.

'She went from the 1000 Guineas here to the Oaks in Epsom and now she has won the Pretty Polly; she must be made of nails!

'The ground was not in her favour. She has handled it but imagine what she would be like on good ground.

'Seamus Heffernan has done a lot of work with her but I rode her in work the other day and she really impressed me.'

Sly said of the runner-up: 'She has run a cracker and is so game. I am chuffed with that.

'She was giving a lot of weight away to the winner, who is obviously a very good horse.

'She looks as if she wants 10 furlongs these days. She is in the Falmouth and the Nassau and they are both options.'

(C) PA Sport