Stellar turnout for Cheveley Stakes

French challenger Natagora heads a quality field of 14 juvenile fillies in the skybet.com Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.

Pascal Bary’s grey completed a four-timer in July with victory in the Prix Robert Papin and was a fine second to Myboycharlie in the Prix Morny on her only subsequent start.

She will attempt to be the first winner from across the Channel since Pas de Response, trained by Criquette Head, in 1996.

It is 1990 since an Irish trainer was last successful when Capricciosa obliged for Vincent O’Brien.

Aidan O’Brien has taken out his two entries but County Meath-based Ger Lyons has a leading contender in Queen Mary heroine Elletelle, while Perfect Polly will try to land the honours for the North and Andrew Oliver’s County Tyrone stable.

Spearheading the home bid is Jeremy Noseda’s Fleeting Spirit, winner of the Molecomb and Flying Childers Stakes over five furlongs.

Her sole run at six furlongs came in the Lowther Stakes at York when she was third to Nahoodh.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Visit, who finished three-quarters of a length ahead of Fleeting Spirit at York, is another with major claims.

Bryan Smart has declared Unilateral, fourth that day, while Nahoodh’s trainer Mick Channon relies on Missit.

Peter Chapple-Hyam is optimistic Polar Circle can bounce back after her under-par display behind Visit in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot in July.

“Polar Circle has been working really nicely and we’ve decided to take our chance in the Cheveley Park Stakes,” the trainer told www.peterchapplehyam.com.

“It is going to be very tough for her and she needs to have improved to be competitive but she is in great form.

“Also, we’ve nowhere else to go so we may as well give it a shot.”

The field is completed by Dubai Princess, Falconry, Festoso, Gone Fast, Lady Aquitaine and Lady Avenger.