The Stage Is Set at Newbury

There are race days, and then there are those race days. Saturday, 26 September 2026 belongs firmly in the latter category. At 14:27, six of the most exciting two-year-old fillies in training will burst out of the stalls at Newbury and contest the Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions Cheveley Park Stakes — a race that doesn't just crown the best juvenile filly of the season, it writes the first chapter of future Classic stories.

Six furlongs. Good to Firm in places. £275,000 in prize money. And a field that reads like a who's who of the next generation. The Cheveley Park has a habit of producing legends, and this year's renewal has all the ingredients to be one for the ages. Buckle up.

The Contenders — Filly by Filly

Senorita Bonita (Draw: 1 | Oisin Murphy | Simon & Ed Crisford)

Start with the star. Senorita Bonita arrives here carrying a rating of 117 — the highest in the field by a considerable margin — and she has earned every single point of it. A course winner AND a distance winner at Newbury, she ticks every box on the conditions front. The Simon and Ed Crisford operation have been in stunning form, and they've clearly had this date circled on the calendar for months. Oisin Murphy takes the ride, and if there's a better big-race jockey in Britain right now, we'd love to meet them. She's drawn in stall one, which on this track and trip is no disaster — more on that shortly. The form flag screams class. She is, quite simply, the one they all have to beat.

Moonrise (Draw: 5 | Tom Marquand | Andrew Balding)

Moonrise is the filly that gets the pulses racing among the value hunters. Rated 109, she's a distance winner who has been building beautifully through the season under Andrew Balding — a trainer who knows exactly how to place a talented juvenile filly. Tom Marquand is back in the saddle, and the partnership looks a potent one. Drawn in stall five, she gets a decent pitch on the track, and if the pace is honest up front, Moonrise could come sweeping late to steal the show. Don't underestimate her.

Libertango (Draw: 2 | Billy Loughnane | George Boughey)

Libertango dances to her own tune, and that tune has been a winning one over this exact trip. Rated 107 and trained by the increasingly impressive George Boughey, she's drawn in stall two — a lovely position for a filly who likes to race prominently and make her rivals work. Billy Loughnane is one of the most exciting young talents in the weighing room, and he'll be looking to dictate terms from a handy draw. If she gets a clear run and the pace suits, Libertango could make this a much more competitive affair than the ratings suggest.

Sun Goddess (Draw: 6 | Ryan Moore | Aidan O'Brien)

Aidan O'Brien sends two, and you never — never — take the Ballydoyle runners lightly. Sun Goddess carries no official rating but she is a distance winner, which tells you she's already shown the ability to handle six furlongs at this level. Ryan Moore takes the mount, and Moore on an O'Brien runner in a Group 1 is one of racing's most dangerous combinations. Drawn widest of all in stall six, she'll need to use that early speed to find a good position. If O'Brien has her cherry-ripe for this, the market will have underestimated her.

Snowing (Draw: 4 | Rossa Ryan | Aidan O'Brien)

The second of the Ballydoyle pair, Snowing also arrives without an official rating, which adds an intriguing layer of mystery. Drawn centrally in stall four, she gets a fair pitch on the track. Rossa Ryan is a jockey full of confidence right now, and if Snowing is the stable's fancied runner, she could spring a surprise. The O'Brien team rarely send two runners to a Group 1 without believing both have a genuine chance.

Alwaysanangel (Draw: 3 | William Buick | Joseph Patrick O'Brien)

The wildcard. Alwaysanangel carries no official rating and wears a tongue tie — the only filly in the field to sport headgear — which suggests connections are looking to unlock something extra. Trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien and ridden by the ice-cool William Buick, she's drawn in stall three and could be a dark horse if the tongue tie does its job. Buick rarely takes rides without believing in them at this level. Watch her market moves on the morning.

Going and Draw — Does It Matter Here?

The going is described as Good, Good to Firm in places — near-perfect conditions for a sharp six-furlong sprint. The ground will be quick enough to reward natural speed but forgiving enough not to punish those who need to be produced late.

On the draw at Newbury over six furlongs, there's no overwhelming bias, but low-to-middle draws tend to be slightly favoured as the track runs straight and true. Senorita Bonita in stall one and Libertango in stall two are well positioned. Moonrise in five and Sun Goddess in six will need to be a touch sharper from the gates to avoid being shuffled back, but neither trainer will be losing sleep over it.

Value Picks and Dangers

Let's be honest — Senorita Bonita is the banker of the race. Course form, distance form, a top rating, and a world-class jockey. She is the clear favourite and deserves to be.

But in Group 1 racing, the danger is always lurking. Here are the key threats:

  • Moonrise — the most likely winner if Senorita Bonita underperforms. Strong form, ideal draw, excellent trainer.
  • Sun Goddess — Ryan Moore + Aidan O'Brien in a Group 1. Enough said. The wide draw is the only concern.
  • Libertango — at a bigger price, she represents the most compelling each-way case. Low draw, proven at the trip, progressive trainer.

The each-way value of this race sits firmly with Libertango and potentially Sun Goddess if the market offers a generous price on the Ballydoyle runners.

Jack's Selection

My tip: Senorita Bonita

Sometimes the form book just shouts at you, and this is one of those times. A rating of 117 in a field where the next best is 109. Course and distance form at Newbury. Oisin Murphy in the saddle. The Crisford yard in top gear. Everything points to Senorita Bonita, and in a small field of six, there's nowhere to hide for the opposition.

She won't be a massive price, but in Group 1 racing, backing the best horse is always the smartest play. Senorita Bonita to win, Libertango each-way for the value hunters.

Check out the full Newbury racecard for all the details on Saturday's card.

Who Is the Favourite for the Cheveley Park Stakes 2026?

Senorita Bonita is the clear market leader heading into the race. Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, ridden by Oisin Murphy, and carrying the highest rating in the field at 117, she boasts both course and distance winning form at Newbury. She is the one all her rivals must find a way past.

Does the Draw Matter in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newbury?

The Cheveley Park Stakes is run over a straight six furlongs at Newbury, which means draw bias is relatively limited compared to some other tracks. However, low-to-middle draws have a slight historical edge, making stalls one (Senorita Bonita) and two (Libertango) attractive positions. Stalls five and six are not a major disadvantage, but those fillies will need to be quick from the gates.

Can an Aidan O'Brien Runner Win the Cheveley Park Stakes?

Absolutely — and you'd be foolish to rule it out. O'Brien saddles both Snowing and Sun Goddess, and Ballydoyle's record in juvenile Group 1s speaks for itself. Sun Goddess, ridden by Ryan Moore, is the more likely of the two to challenge for top honours. If O'Brien has her ready to fire, she could outrun her odds significantly.