Newmarket Craven meeting

For purists, the flat season proper begins with the Newmarket Craven meeting, which begins today. Some serious classic prospects are on view today - not only in the races themselves but also in some racecourse gallops featuring such as Awzaan. 7 of the 8 races are restricted to 3yo´s, while the other event is a 2yo race at 15.25 CET, which will probably be won as usual by Richard Hannon.

Hannon also has a good chance of winning the listed European Free Handicap over 7 furlongs at 16.35, indeed he could well take the first two places with Quadille (Richard Hughes), owned by the Queen, and Fremont (Ryan Moore), in the colours of one of his biggest owners Julie Wood.

Main event today is the Nell Gwyn Stakes for 3yo fillies at 17.10, also over 7 furlongs, always one of the most informative guides to the 1,000 Guineas. 9 of the 11 fillies were winners last year, the exceptions being Srda (Clive Brittain( Ahmed Ajtebi), who has made up for last time by winning both her 2010 starts, and Safina (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), who is the most interesting runner, having already been well backed for the Guineas, even though she only ran once so far, finishing third in a maiden here. She is certainly bred for the job, as her dam Russian Rhythm won the 1,000 Guineas and also the Nassau Stakes for the same connections. Despite her lack of experience, and the fact that Stoute is as so often slow to get of the mark, she has to run well here to justify her position in the betting on the classic .

Another filly expected to pay a major role this season is Henry Cecil´s Timepiece (Tom Queally), but in her case the Oaks is the target. She is one of 3 fillies in a field of 9 for the listed Feilden Stakes over 9 furlongs at 17.45, and it would come as no surprise were they to take the first 3 places, as Rumoush (Marcus Tregoning/ Richard Hills) is also well regarded, while Marie de Medici (Mark Johnston/ Frankie Dettori) is actually best in on official ratings.

The most valuable race of the day is the Tattersalls Timeform 3yo Trophy over 10 furlongs at 16.00, which was run for the first time last year. John Gosden scored then and he may follow up today with High Twelve (William Buick), who flopped in the Dewhurst but whose earlier form was good enough. Another Group One flop last time was German-bred Don Carlos (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh); O´Brien´s runners in Ireland have all seemed to need their first run, but this one, whose dam Dapprima was runner-up in the German 1,000 Guineas, could be an exception. In a very open race, the unbeaten Doctor Zhivago (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning), Coordinated Cat (Jamie Spencer), having his first race for Michael Bell, Hot Prospect (Michael Jarvis/ Kieren Fallon) and Ameer (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), Godolphin´s first British runner of the year, also merit close consideration.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Esaar - Harvest Dancer - Balducci
2. Race: Retainer - Early Applause - Bilko Pak
3. Race: High Twelve - Coordinated Cut - Ameer
4. Race: Mata Keranjang - Red Jazz - Audacity Of Hope
5. Race: Music Show - Safina - Atasari
6. Race: Timepiece - Prizefighting - Gallic Star
7. Race: Lunar Victory - Deauville Post - Desert Myth
8. Race: Racy - Comedy Hall - Edgewater