Cheveley Park Stakes: runner-by-runner guide and verdict

Timeform rating: 115. Best odds: 20/1. 

The daughter of Havana Grey changed hands for 525,000gns at the Tatts Craven Breeze-Up Sale in mid-April and went some way to justifying that when landing the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket in July. However, she was unable to make much impact in the Prix Morny last time and this looks a similarly tough assignment. 

Timeform rating: 125p. Best odds: 13/8. 

It was 13 years ago that Ger Lyons gained a pivotal win in this race via Lightening Pearl and now, firmly established as one of the best in the business with the backing of Juddmonte, he returns with one of the most exciting two-year-olds in training. Babouche has won each of her three races with authority, clocking a good time into the bargain when too strong for Whistelejacket in the Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh last time. The runner-up has since landed the Prix Morny, having previously landed the July Stakes. Babouche had mastered another Ballydoyle colt, Camille Pissarro, on her penultimate start, having bolted up on easy ground first time out. Lyons has described her as “straightforward and a pleasure to train”, suggesting her temperament is her biggest asset. It is difficult to find chinks in her armour and she has had a seven-week break to recharge her batteries. 

Timeform rating: 115. Best odds: 12/1. 

Raised her game when making all the running in the Lowther at York last month and, like the past two winners of this race, she’s got plenty of experience. She looks tough and uncomplicated, plus coped well enough with easy ground when a close third in the Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly in mid-July. Looks sure to give it another good go but others are open to more improvement. 

Timeform rating: 117. Best odds: 10/1. 

This daughter of Earthlight, winner of the Middle Park in 2019, is an intriguing raider from France after her third to Whistlejacket in the Prix Morny last time. She finished a length-and-a-half behind the winner but that masks the fact that she had to be dropped in from an unfavourable wide draw plus had to wait for a run, whereas the winner was able to boss things from some way out near the rail. She had previously won a Group Three prize at Deauville in commanding style (Columnist, third in the Coventry, among the supporting cast) plus scored easily on her debut at Chantilly in the mud. You have to go back to 2009 for the last French-trained winner (Special Duty) but she warrants close attention. 

Timeform rating: 122p. Best odds: 5/2. 

The unbeaten daughter of Frankel is the most interesting of Aidan O’Brien’s five possible entries, even if her three wins have all been achieved over 7f. She’s improved with every run, taking her form to a new level when landing the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at The Curragh last time. She benefited from her odds-on stablemate Bedtime Story disappointing that day (she apparently banged her head leaving the stalls) but there was still depth to the race and Lake Victoria impressed with the way she pounced from off the pace. Her dam, Quiet Reflection, was a crack sprinter and perhaps O’Brien/Coolmore believe she may be able to get away with dropping in trip. However, her siblings are stayers and, on paper at least, it’s not an obvious move, albeit that the soft ground will bring her stamina into play. 

Timeform rating: 112. Best odds: 16/1. 

The Queen Mary winner is not the biggest but again moved with purpose in the Lowther last time, but she was burdened with a 3lb penalty and was unable to get to grips with Celandine and Time For Sandals in the closing stages. It was a solid effort after two months off but did leave a lingering suspicion that she may be at her most effective over the minimum trip. She has looked well served by quick ground, so the heavy rain that hit the track on Thursday is a concern. 

Timeform rating: 106. Best odds: 66/1. 

Her form is a level or two below what looks required but, on the plus side, she’s shown her effectiveness on slowish ground. She gained some valuable blacktype when a creditable third to Tabiti in the Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes at Salisbury last time, having previously landed a nursery on the July Course at Newmarket off a mark of 86. She usually races up with pace and will add a pace angle. 

Timeform rating: 110p. Best odds: 14/1. 

This daughter of Blue Point represents powerful connections, but she would be taking a massive step up in class. She made all for a five-length win in a minor event at Chantilly last time, although the others with experience had achieved little. Rayveka was building on the promise of her debut at Deauville but, in terms of form, she needs a stack of improvement. The fact that Francis-Henri Graffard has her in the mix is the biggest tick in her box. He is 5/40 with his runners in Britain and you would be showing a healthy profit had you backed them all blind. 

The likely testing ground  is an unknown for BABOUCHE, but she handled a slowish surface with aplomb on hert debut and has been flawless up to now. She appeals as the most likely winner, although that is reflected by the betting. Daylight was not see to best advantage in the Prix Morny and looks the best each-way alternative.