La Petite Coco steps up to win Pretty Polly Stakes

La Petite Coco deftly made the step up to Group One class with victory in the Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes.

The Paddy Twomey-trained filly was a winner four times last season, taking a maiden and an auction race before gaining black-type status with victories in the Group Three Give Thanks Stakes and the Group Two Blandford Stakes.

A four-year-old daughter of Ruler Of The World, La Petite Coco had not been seen the latter run in September, and therefore had both top-calibre opposition and a 287-day break to overcome at the Curragh.

Neither hindered her as she raced prominently and held off the challenge thrown down by William Haggas' 11-4 favourite My Astra to prevail by half a length at 9-1 under Billy Lee.

"To be honest I couldn't see her being beaten coming here," said Twomey.

"The level she showed last year to beat Love (in the Blandford) and the winner of this race (Thundering Nights), I didn't enter her in the Arc for fun. I think she's top class.

It was victory for La Petite Coco in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes @curraghrace #rteracing pic.twitter.com/SrQ0HbjBu9

"We decided, Barry (Irwin, of owners Team Valor) and I, that we'd start her campaign in the middle of the year with a view to the second half. She didn't have a run but I don't think it matters to her.

"We planned to start it here. The Yorkshire Oaks is something we'll consider, the Fillies and Mares at Ascot, the Arc, the Breeders' Cup maybe and Hong Kong. That sort of line-up.

"We were keen to start at home, we didn't really want to travel for her first run. It's great and that's why we get up and try to do it. We're lucky that people like Barry have sent us some good horses."

Twomey was previously involved in the pre-training of Haggas' horses and used that