There’s barely a breath to be taken in the Flat season from now. Fresh from Duty First and Jonquil putting their 1000 and 2000 Guineas chances no harm at Newbury, the Craven Meeting is now also upon us.
Via the Nell Gwyn (Tuesday) and Craven Stakes (Wednesday), more Guineas clues are offered while the Wood Ditton, the Feilden Stakes and more will show off even more top three-year-olds.
There’s other top action as well, with Tuesday and Wednesday being the two top days of the meeting. This is how we’d play both cards.
Tuesday
The day starts off with a competitive Class 2 handicap over six furlongs, but unless you’re in the know it’s probably not an event to get too involved in. We don’t know where these sprinters stand this early in the season, but the race should be very informative.
Feilden Can Go to Appleby
The 2.25 is the Feilden Stakes and that should be a classy affair. Run over nine furlongs, seeing that out up the hill can often lead to winners of this race being considered for the Derby. It’s worth remembering in fact that both Golden Horn (2015) and Highland Avenue (2021) have won this in recent times.
Highland Avenue’s trainer was in fact Newmarket’s undisputed top man, Charlie Appleby. His Maisai Moon is drifting slightly out towards 3/1, a more backable price than his initial 13/8. He has real quality, and it would be no surprise to see him beat Nightwalker and Sallaal.
We’re over the same distance for the following Earl Of Sefton Stakes, but this may not be a betting race. Two-time winner Ottoman Fleet goes again, but his stablemate First Conquest is improving and was favourite to beat Nations Pride recently in Dubai. Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly also makes his reappearance.
Godolphin to Add to 1000 Guineas Team?
In the Nell Gwyn Stakes, Godolphin’s Verse Of Love puts her reputation on the line. A little short in the market, she may not be everyone’s cup of tea but she looked a real star when lending her novice race over course and distance in October by five lengths.
She’s the most likely winner of this, though Arabian Dusk (Simon & Ed Crisford) is battle-hardened and Haydock winner Nardra could, as they say, be anything. The betting will be informative. Should Verse Of Love win, she may challenge current stablemate and 1000 Guineas favourite Desert Flower on May 4.
A special mention also goes to 50/1 shot Qarlyga. She isn’t an obvious winner of this, but she has talent and should be nowhere near as big as she is in the market. Her outrunning her odds for Silvestre De Sousa and Roger Varian would be no surprise.
Wednesday
Day two begins just as day one did, with a six-furlong, Class 2 handicap. This time, the opening race of the day is for three-year-olds only and they are effectively all improving which makes betting tough.
Charlie Appleby, who is fully expected to have a big week, runs Al Misbar here. He is most definitely very well handicapped and can score, so he’s the rightful favourite. That said, Defence Minister (Hamad Al Jehani) is also potentially well treated and can go close himself under James Doyle.
In the Wood Ditton Stakes, it’s usually all about watching the betting. Fifteen previously unraced three-year-olds line up, with some of the best trainers in the country as usual keeping back some of their best prospects for this event.
Caughtredhanded (John & Thady Gosden) heads a tentative market. His dam won first time out, but he’s by Cracksman which means he’ll improve over time and may even want the ground a little softer.
Archie Watson likes to get them ready to rock & roll, so his Spy Kingdom is worth considering. Other top sons of Kitten’s Joy such as Roaring Lion and Kameko won first time out, as did his dam. The betting will be telling but he, along with the Gosdens’ Altareq remain of interest.
Yet More Joy for the Boys in Blue in the Abernant?
Charlie Appleby is responsible for yet another market leader in the Group 3 Abernant Stakes over six furlongs. Everyone loves a sprinter, but people seem to really love a flying filly, and the four-year-old Romantic Style could go to the top this year.
Last April, she won over seven furlongs in France but didn’t see out the mile in the French 1000 Guineas. She’s been winning in Dubai over this trip, is at least up with the best of this bunch and gets a handy 3lbs.
Deep Craven Stakes is Full of Quality
At 3.35 on Wednesday, the feature Craven Stakes over the mile may turn out to produce more than one future Group 1 winner. This is a very deep renewal.
The Waco Kid went clear in the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes here last year, and he’s a 20/1 shot for this which gives you a clue. Matauri Bay was only just behind Field Of Gold in the Solario last year and he’s 8/1, but there’s potentially even better in the field.
New Century (Andrew Balding, 5/1) won a Grade 1 in Canada last year ahead of Saturday’s Greenham favourite Al Qudra. It must be remembered though that Al Qudra was unlucky in running behind him and was a disappointment on Saturday. There is better domestic form.
Wimbledon Hawkeye (James Owen, 4/1) is a strong contender. He won the Group 2 Royal Lodge last season before being placed at Group 1 level.
The top four in the market could all challenge for favouritism at some point. As well as Wimbledon Hawkeye, Field Of Gold (John & Thady Gosden, 7/2), Opera Ballo (Charlie Appleby, 9/2) and Aomori City (Appleby, 4/1) are all classy.
The enigma, after looking like a bona fide superstar, is why William Buick gets off Opera Ballo to ride Aomori City. He was a good winner of the Vintage Stakes in fairness, before finishing a close third to Henri Matisse at the Breeders’ Cup. He had to go wide that day and almost got there.
Based on the form of those behind him and his clear potential, Opera Ballo looks like the right one but we have to respect Buick’s decision to ride Aomori City which is a fascinating decision.