Newmarket Craven Meeting continues with top more 3yo´s

The Newmarket Craven Meeting continues today wth more high class racing and the main feature is the Craven Stakes for 3yo´s over a mile at 17.10 CET, a major trial for the 2,000 Guineas over this CD a fortnight on Saturday. However it must be said that only one winner of this race has gone on to Guineas glory in the last 30 years. Also yesterday´s results suggest that the Newmarket-trained runners are still backward compared to their Yorkshire colleagues. One Newmarket trainer who is already in good form is Ed Dunlop, and we expect him to take the feature with Native Khan (Kieren Fallon), 4th last time in the Racing Post Trophy on ground that was too soft for him. Conditions today should be ideal and he is a confident selection.

The other group race on the card is the Earl of Sefton Staks over 9 furlongs at 17.4, the only race of the whole meeting restricted to older horses. French challenger Polytechnicien (André Fabre/ Olivier Peslier) is the class act here and is fit enough, having beaten to smart Cirrus des Aigles last month at Saint-Cloud, but has to give away weight all round. We prefer Steele Tango (Roger Teal/ Ted Durcan), who put up some good performances in Dubai. Top-rated here is Elusive Pimpernel (John Dunlop/ Ryan Moore), but he has not run since finishing unplaced in last year´s 2,000 Guineas and may need the race.

The listed Abernant Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.35 is open to 3yo s and up, but in fact Dinkum Diamond (Henry Candy/ Dane O´Neill) is the only 3yo in the field of 13. Candy is an expert trainer of sprinters and he must be respected. Jimmy Styles (Clive Cox/ Adam Kirby) was a convincing winnr of similar race at Doncastr from Iver Bridge Lad (Jams Ryan/ Jimmy Quinn); he how has a 4 lbs penalty but could still cinfirm the form. Top-rated here is Society Rock (James Fanshawe/ Pat Cosgrave), but he was last seen out in the July Cup and is another one who may need the race.

The Tattersalls Millions 3yo Trophy over 10 furlongs at 16.00 is the most valuable race of the day. Mark Johnston and Richard Hannon together saddle half the field of 14 and jockey bookings suggest that Sadlers Risk (Joe Fanning) and Measuring Time (Richard Hughes) respectively are the best of their runners, but is is hard to be sure. The one to beat is Irish raider Together (Aidan O´Brien/ Colm O`Donoghue). The Wood Ditton Stakes for unraced 3yo´s at 15.25 is another difficult race to assess with no form to go on; there are some promising types entered here and on pedigree we like the look of Enjoy Today (Brian Meehan/ Martin Dwyer).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Tea Cup - Royal Blush - Liesl
2. Race: Air Traffic - Arch Fire - England Rules
3. Race: Together - Measuring Time - Date With Destiny
4. Race: Society Rock - Genki - Inler
5. Race: Native Khan - Libranno - Yaseer
6. Race: Elusive Pimpernel - Forte Dei Marmi - Steele Tango
7. Race: Deity - Elraabeya - Heatherbird
8. Race: Labarinto - Poplin - Glencadam Gold