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Roly Poly wins Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket

Roly Poly (left) wins the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes
Image: Roly Poly (left) wins the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes

Roly Poly dominated from the front in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket.

Aidan O'Brien's filly won the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes on the corresponding card 12 months ago and had filled the runner-up spot behind esteemed stable companion Winter in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on her two most recent outings.

Ryan Moore was happy to let the 6-4 favourite bowl along at the head of affairs in the Group One contest, with Greta G her closest pursuer for much of the one-mile journey.

The previously unbeaten Wuheida, not seen since winning the Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly last October, emerged as a threat inside the final two furlongs, but Roly Poly was always holding her at bay and passed the post with a length and a quarter in hand.

Wuheida ran a fine race to fill the runner-up spot considering her lengthy absence, with her fellow Godolphin-owned filly Arabian Hope third.

Moore said: "It went very well. Her last two runs were very good runs behind Winter.

"She improved right through the spring and deserved to win a Group One. She was touched off in the Cheveley Park last year.

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"She's just a very tough and very honest filly."

Moore, O'Brien and owners Coolmore were completing a big-race double following the victory of Clemmie in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes earlier in the afternoon.

Part-owner Michael Tabor said: "It still means a lot. If it didn't, I guess I wouldn't be here. Simple as that.

"I love it and love to see the horses win. Long may it continue.

"This filly is pretty small, she loves this ground and she's trained on to be a very good three-year-old."

Charlie Appleby was thrilled with the performance of Wuheida.

He said: "I'm delighted. She's travelled well throughout and as William (Buick) said, she's just gone for her girths (got tired), which is what I expected to be honest.

"Her class has taken her to where she is today and I'd be pretty confident she's going to take a good leap forward.

"As regards trip, William felt she may even have got a bit quicker since last year. I was thinking after this we might be looking to go up to 10 (furlongs), but we might stick to around a mile.

"Let's let the dust settle, see how she is tomorrow morning and make a plan from there."

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