Newmarket kicks off flat season

Purists regard Newmarket´s Craven meeting, which begins today, as the start of the proper flat season, as the all-weather racing we have had throughout the long winter, as well as the handful of turf meetings this month, have been generallky very low standard. Today by contrast there is a high level card consisting of 7 races restricted to 3yo´s and one to 2yo´s, and it is a near certainty that there will be several subsequent classic and group winners on view. From the betting point of view, it is not so exciting as almost all the runners are having their first run of the season and many of them will just be warming up for bigger races to come. However the card features the first runners of 2013 from the Sir Henry Cecil stable as well as the first U.K. runners from Godolphin´s two trainers, and is essential viewing.

Main event today is the Nell Gwyn Stakes at 17.05 CET for 3yo fillies. a major trial for the 1000 Guineas, which has attracted a large field of 14 runners. Sky Lantern (Richard Hnnon/ Richard Hughes) is the favourite here, having won the Moyglare last season, but she carries a penalty for that race which was run on very soft ground, and we are not so sure about today. Hot Snap (Cecil/ Tom Queally) and Lady Nouf (William Haggas/ William Buick) both won their only starts last year in promising style, and we have a slight preference for the latter.

The listed Feilden Stakes over 9 furlongs at 17.40 often pinpoints a major Derby hope and the interesting one here is French raider Intello (André Fabre/ Olivier Peslier), who won both his starts last year in workmanlike fashion. Best of the Brits could be Race and Status (Andtrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune), third in the big sales race here over 7 furlongs last autumn and bred to get today´ s distance and further.

The European Free Handivap over 7 furlongsd at 16.30 is another trace that has ferquently been won by a later star performer. Anna´s Pearl (Ralph Beckett/ Jamie Spencer), a half-brotjher to Ger,man classic winner Mi Emma, has top weoght after finishing second in a French Group One in November, but we prefer Garswood (Richard Fahey/ Tony Hamilton), beaten a head at Ascot in October by Bungleinthejungle (Mick Channon/ Martin Harley), who runs in the previous race, a valuable sales race over 6 furlongs. Richard Hannon has an excellent record in such events and saddles 3 here, including our selection Victrix Ludorum (the choice of stable jockey Richard Hughes).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Estifzaaz - Messila Star - Balad
2. Race: Orton Park - Split Rock - M`selle
3. Race: Bungle Inthejungle - Victrix Ludorum - Tamayuz Star
4. Race: Anna`s Pearl - Alhebayeb - Emell
5. Race: Sky Lantern - Nargys - Winning Express
6. Race: Intello - Race And Status - Luhaif
7. Race: Improvisation - Demonic - Space Ship
8. Race: Dutch Masterpiece - Professor - Line Of Reason