GER Lyons has long been known not to have any interest in travelling outside of Ireland unless his horses have genuine chances and for that reason, he expects to have only one runner at the Royal meeting, if any.

Babouche is slated to take her chance in the Commonwealth Cup, having come forward markedly from an uninspiring debut in the Listed Goffs Irish EBF Polonia Stakes at Cork by coasting home in the Group 3 Goffs Lacken Stakes at Naas last month.

The finishing kick shown in dispensing Whistlejacket by two and three-quarter lengths was hugely impressive, confirming that the Juddmonte homebred daughter of Kodiac had trained on from her juvenile days, when she beat the same rival in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Recent Prix du Jockey Club winner, Camille Pissarro, was also a victim when having to give best to the speedster over six and a half furlongs in the Group 3 Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes prior to that, also at flat headquarters.

The 4/1 shot’s participation next Friday is not guaranteed however, as Juddmonte do have a number of entries.

“The Commonwealth has been the target for Babouche and if she rocks up in the same form that she showed in Naas, I’d be delighted,” said Lyons.

“She needed her first run and we said that beforehand, and we were delighted with how much she had improved for that in Naas. She has worked well since then and we are happy with her at home.

“She is a two-year-old Group 1 winner but she has to improve from two to three again to be in the mix. We hope she has but it will be left until next week before a final decision is made on whether she heads over.”