Talk Of New York The Buzz As The Craven Meeting Gets Underway

2.25 Newmarket, Cond, 3yo, 7fT
TALK OF NEW YORK (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) returns to Europe with high expectations judged by his current position as second favourite for the 2,000 Guineas despite having won a Kempton maiden and finished third in the Jumeirah 2,000 Guineas. Charlie Appleby puts a hood on the keen traveller and saddles a possible pacemaker in the Woodcote winner Maximized (GB) (Mehmas {Ire}), so it is fair to say that it is time for the son of the high-class Usherette (Shamardal) to show why he has been such a hot topic for so long.

1.15 Newmarket, Mdn, 3yo, c/g, 7fT
BIG SNOOPY (FR) (Siyouni {Fr}) is an eyecatching newcomer in this time-honoured Alex Scott Maiden which helps add intrigue to the Craven meeting, being a 300,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 graduate and son of the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches winner Teppal (Camacho). Carrying the RP Racing silks made famous by Big Evs and Big Mojo, the Ed Walker trainee looks up against it if the market is a true guide, with Godolphin's fellow newcomer Cerro Blanco (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) a warm order to get Charlie Appleby off to a flyer.

1.50 Newmarket, Novice, 2yo, 5fT
SHADOW KING (IRE) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is one of the key players in this early Royal Ascot pointer for the Richard Hannon stable which has already supplied the Brocklesby winner. One of the homebreds of the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, he is out of Dubawi's Height of Fashion winner and Oaks third Lady Of Dubai whose son Involvement (Lope De Vega) was third in Sunday's Listed Prix Jacques Laffitte.