G3 Craven Stakes
In a renewal of Newmarket's G3 Craven Stakes robbed of a star turn in Hawk Mountain (Wootton Bassett) and of another of interest in Hankelow (Night Of Thunder) due to the quickening ground, it was TDN Rising Star Oxagon (Frankel) who benefitted under enterprising tactics. Sent off the 7-4 second favourite due to the defections, last year's Champagne Stakes runner-up who was sporting first-time cheekpieces was sent straight to the front by Oisin Murphy and dictated to suit. Applying the pressure on the approach to the dip, Prince Faisal's homebred...
Thursday, Newmarket, post time: 15:35, BETWAY CRAVEN STAKES-G3, £95,000, 3yo, Open, 8f 0y Field: Avicenna (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Commander's Intent (Fr) (Victor Ludorum {GB}), Hankelow (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Hawk Mountain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Hidden Force (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Oxagon (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), Venetian Prince (GB) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}). TDN Analysis: Ahead of one of the most head-scratcher 2,000 Guineas for some time, a fascinating Craven where nothing can be safely ruled out and which has surprisingly attracted a Group 1 winner in Hawk Mountain. While it is...
Wednesday, Newmarket, post time: 15:00, EARL OF SEFTON STAKES-G3, £95,000, 4yo/up, 9fT Field: Damysus (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Boiling Point (Ire) (Too Darn Hot {GB}), King's Gambit (Ire) (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), Persica (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), Prague (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Skukuza (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}). TDN Analysis: Hopes that Damysus could make his mark at four are high considering he captured the same Listed contest at Deauville as had his esteemed stablemate Ombudsman 12 months earlier. Following up in the G3 Darley Stakes over this course and distance in October, Wathnan's...
Juddmonte's Classic team seemingly grows with each passing day and each trial and Wednesday's G3 Craven Stakes at Newmarket followed the same pattern as a new 2,000 Guineas favourite emerged for then operation in Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). Labelled a work in progress by John Gosden as he captured the G3 Solario Stakes and finished fourth in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere last term, the TDN Rising Star travelled like a dream throughout this established course-and-distance trial with Kieran Shoemark able to pick his path. Unleashed passing the...
Wednesday, Newmarket, Britain, post time: 15:00, BLANDFORD BLOODSTOCK ABERNANT STAKES-G3, £85,000, 3yo/up, 6f 0y Field: Apollo One (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), Grand Grey (Ire) (Havana Grey {GB}), Lethal Levi (GB) (Lethal Force {Ire}), Royal Zabeel (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Run To Freedom (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Sajir (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) and Romantic Style (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). TDN Verdict: One of those Fabre specials is in evidence here at the track he so loves, with the burgeoning sprinting talent Sajir bidding to add to his G3 Prix Sigy success of last...