Holy Cat takes on Aurelia in Cheveley Park

Holy Cat steps into the lioness's den at Newmarket today when taking on American super-filly Lady Aurelia (pictured right).

They are among six runners in Britain's premier two-year-old fillies' race, the Gr.1 CRM Cheveley Park Stakes (14.55) over six furlongs. The relatively small field lacks nothing in quality, but Qatar Racing's representative has a chance of gaining some top-level black type.

The Michael O'Callaghan-trained Holy Cat won her maiden race on debut, and then finished second to the colt Intelligence Cross in the Gr.3 Round Tower Stakes. Her conqueror that day lines up in the next race on today's card, the Gr.1 Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes.

O'Callaghan says of Holy Cat, who will be ridden by Colin Keane: ‚"She is very well and has travelled to Newmarket fine. The fast ground will suit and so will being back against her own sex.‚"

Lady Aurelia is unbeaten in three races in America, Britain and France and landed the Gr.1 Prix Morny on her latest start, while Queen Kindly and Roly Poly were first and second in the Gr.2 Lowther Stakes at York. Brave Anna won Royal Ascot's Gr.3 Albany Stakes beating Qatar Racing's Bletchley while Pellucid was placed in a Group Three race on her most recent outing.

Singing Sands is Qatar Racing's only other European runner today the Ralph Beckett-trained filly tackles a maiden race against her own sex at Chester (14.30). Regularly placed, Singing Sands has seen action at Salisbury on her two most recent outings, and Chester, with its tight-turning circuit, presents a very different challenge.

Photo of Lady Aurelia sprinting clear of her Queen Mary Stakes rivals at Royal Ascot: Dan Abraham