Newmarket tips, racecards, declarations and preview for the meeting live on ITV and Racing TV this Wednesday, April 17
THE Craven takes centre stage at Newmarket on a fascinating Wednesday.
There will undoubtedly be some stars of the future on show, while there are some tasty handicaps to get the punting juices flowing.
Race 1 – 1.50 bet365 Handicap
A blinding race to open the card and one which has been won by several subsequent Group-level performers (Aclaim, Danzeno, Es Que Love) in the past.
The one who could progress into a stakes horse is BREATH OF AIR, who thrashed subsequent Greenham hero Mohaather in a maiden at Newbury in September.
He rounded off his juvenile season with a good third at Listed level, and he could make a mockery of his mark of 93 under Ryan Moore.
Moyassar brings some useful handicap form to the table and is feared most on his first run since a wind op.
Yousini and Top Breeze are lightly-raced and can also figure in the finish.
VERDICT – 1. Breath Of Air 2. Moyassar 3. Yousini
Race 2 – 2.25 bet365 Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes
The betting will prove very informative here with no form to go on.
On paper, I like the look of Andrew Balding’s GEOMATRICIAN.
He is by a proper stallion in Mastercraftsman and related to several classy performers, notably Group 2 winner I Can Fly and the smart Viscount Barfield, while his yard has started the season in fine form.
UAE Jewel has been given a Dante entry, so that suggests he is held in high regard by his powerful connections.
Kung Fu and Samba Saravah also make appeal on paper, while Al Hadeer is also likely to prove popular.
VERDICT – 1. Geomatrician 2. UAE Jewel 3. Kung Fu
Race 3 – 3.00 Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes (Group 3)
Dear old BRANDO can win this contest for the third year in a row.
Kevin Ryan’s top sprinter has acquitted himself with plenty of credit at the top level for a number of years.
He is now a seven-year-old but he is unbeaten at the Rowley Mile, goes well fresh and handles all types of ground.
Dreamfield came up short in Group 1 company after a near-miss in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot, but he retains potential and is the big danger.
Gifted Master would pose a threat if allowed a soft lead, while Yafta holds solid each-way claims.
VERDICT – 1. Brando 2. Dreamfield 3. Gifted Master
Race 4 – 3.35 bet365 Craven Stakes (Group 3)
An interesting renewal in which ROYAL MARINE makes plenty of appeal at the prices.
Saaed bin Suroor’s colt ran out a gutsy winner of a Group 1 in France last autumn, and the form has been well-franked since.
He boasts a similar profile to last year’s winner Masar in that he flopped on the dirt in Meydan earlier this year, and this classy performer can bounce right back to his best now returned to turf.
It’s perhaps significant that the once-raced Zakouski has been so short for this race. He impressed when winning on his debut but this is a big step up.
Unbeaten pair Skardu and Set Piece look sure to have bright futures and could play a part.
Global Spectrum won a big pot in the Middle East in February and is a shade overpriced.
VERDICT – 1. Royal Marine 2. Zakouski 3. Skardu
Race 5 – 4.10 Rossdales Maiden Fillies’ Stakes
Handmaiden sets the standard having hit the frame on four occasions last year.
But she is vulnerable to an improver, and preference is for CLERISY for Sir Michael Stoute.
This daughter of Kingman shaped with plenty of promise on debut at Wolverhampton and a 1000 Guineas entry suggests she is well-regarded.
The well-bred Ojooba should be monitored closely in the betting.
VERDICT – 1. Clerisy 2. Handmaiden 3. Ojooba
Race 6 – 4.45 British EBF bet365 “Confined” Novice Stakes
Plenty of potential on show here, with EL MISK perhaps the pick of the bunch.
John Gosden’s well-bred colt makes plenty of appeal on paper, and he overcame greenness to win on debut at Newcastle earlier this month. There should be loads more to come from him.
Eightsome Rebel missed the break but still managed to win first time out at Wolves, so he commands respect.
Jalmoud and One Vision are also worth a close look in a fascinating contest.
VERDICT – 1. El Misk 2. Eightsome Rebel 3. Jalmoud
Race 7 – 5.20 Coates & Seely Blanc De Blancs Handicap
A tough contest to end the card, but KAMIKAZE LORD looks the bet.
He opened his account at the third attempt at Kempton when last sighted and he looks nicely-weighted on handicap debut with Ryan Moore up.
Karnavaal looks the chief threat, but don’t rule out a big run from Brian Epstein, Aweedram or Jem Scuttle.
VERDICT – 1. Kamikaze Lord 2. Karnavaal 3. Brian Epstein