Newmarket Craven Meeting Day Two

Another day of glorious sunshine & quality Flat racing beckons as Day Two of Newmarket's Craven Meeting dawns, today's main event is the major colts Classic trial the Novae Bloodstock Insurance Craven Stakes which sees the return of last year's Champion 2 year old Toormore. 

His rating of 122 is a fairly low one to be at the top of tree but that is more to do with the quality of 2 year olds last year. No Nay Never being an American Horse was not likely to win it even though his performances in winning the Norfolk & a Red hot Prix Morny (defeated Vorda (1st Cheveley Park Group 1) & Rizeena (1st Moyglare Stud Stakes Group 1) were the best in my opinion by a juvenile last season. 

Toormore gained his rating by winning the Vintage Stakes & a substandard National Stakes, I believe his rating is for the majority based on his win in the Vintage where he showed tenacity & speed to mow down subsequent Champagne Stakes Grp 2 & Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Grade 1 winner Outstrip (see photo below) as in winning the the National Stakes we learned very little more about him. 

He is a decent looking individual without being spectacular who should have matured well from 2 - 3, as an unbeaten colt the potential is to over egg him. The stable have done well with other sons of Arakan before namely Dick Turpin who won at the highest level in Europe but was just below Top Class in the UK & Trumpet Major who won the Craven a few years back but never progressed higher than Group 3 level. Toormore of course has already won at Group 1 level but I feel he has had everything go his way to date & in all honesty he does not strike me as a Classic winner.

The opposition on Thursday is led by Godolphin's striking chestnut son of New Approach Be Ready 2/1 PADDY POWER who in just 2 starts last year left a lasting impression, he was pitched in at the deep end on debut in the Listed Washington Singer Stakes at Newbury where he showed abundant promise in finishing 4.5 lengths 2nd to the experienced & classy Somewhat.

 It is worth noting that Godolphin rarely pitch there 2 year olds straight into pattern company so it was clear Be Ready was well thought of, he confirmed that promise with a ready win in Listed company at Doncaster on his next start where he defeated Barley Mow by 3 lengths, he was not tested again as a Juvenile (despite being due to run in The Dewhurst) he was allowed to mature & all reports I have are that he has been sparkling in his homework at Newmarket. On breeding he will stay at least 1m2f so tomorrow's mile will be perfect for him. I think he will win the Craven & announce himself as a genuine Guineas challenger to Kingman for which the 20/1 available with CORAL & WILLIAM HILL is worth taking now. 

Anjaal won last season's July Stakes but was not seen out again until the autumn when re-appearing in the Dewhurst he ran ok in the circumstances but it was a fairly weak race & is an unlikely stayer on Thursday.

Patentar won an average York maiden towards the end of last year from a 72 rated opponent so he faces a massive step up against horses of the quality of Toormore & Be Ready.

Postponed a decent looking son of Dubawi was 2nd in a sales race last backend but was easily brushed aside by the exposed Oklahoma City so he also faces a big task up in grade.

The Grey Gatsby was a likeable type last season running well in his first 3 starts before finding the soft ground against him behind Kingston Hill in The Racing Post Trophy, before that he had been readily outpointed by Godolphin's Outstrip so the boys in blue should have a good gauge on him through that line of form. He is the type to have done well over the winter so I can see him picking up 3rd prize money.

 Opening up the card is an unraced 2 year old fillies 5 furlong maiden in which  Godolphin courtesy of Charlie Appleby's branch of the operation saddle No Delusion 
(Street Cry X Dream Empress) whose relatives stayed up to 1m6f so she must be showing some serious speed to be out so early, her dam Dream Empress was a Grade 1 winner in the states & No Delusion made $367,776 at Keenland in September last year as a yearling.  Others to note include;
 Al Ghuwariyah (Acclamation X Church Melody) Church Melody is by Chorist dam of the useful Gospel Choir, she made £51,072 as a yearling at Goffs. 
The nicely bred Lacing (Equiano X Lacework (who was rated 83 at her best)) she is a half sister Miss Work Of Art Listed winner & placed, Romantic Settings 2nd Musidora Stakes Group 3.
Mary McPhee (Makfi X Aunty Mary useful 5 - 6f sprinter) who is a half sister to Mary's Daughter / Scrutiny, she made £155,000 at Doncaster last August.
Rise Up Lotus (Zebedee X Face The Storm) she is a half sister to stakes placed Roi Du Vitesse, she made £75,000 at DBS Premier in August last year.
Tarando (Equiano X Christmas Tart) making her a half sister to Listed winner & Group placed sprinter Hoyam, she made £21,000 as a foal with that rising to £84,000 as a yearling at Tattersalls October Book 2 last year.

18 unraced 3 year old colts, geldings & three fillies are up next in the Wood Ditton which has seen a resurgence in recent years courtesy of Mukhadram (Awarded race after finishing 2nd in 2012), Sheikhzayadroad (finished 10th in 2012) & Harbinger (2nd in 2009). 
Godolphin have an excellent record in the race in recent years with Bustopher 2nd 2013, Mariner's Cross Winner in 2012 later disqualified, Midsummer Fair Winner 2011, 2 of those winners have been ridden by Mickael Barzalona.   

This year's field looks right up to scratch with Farhh's full brother Basem (Pivotal X Gonbarda) 

heading the field, the reports I have recieved suggest he has been working nicely & connections are expecting a decent run. (Derby entered) 

Censorius (Notnowcato X Meredith) relatively cheap purchase at Tattersalls Book 2 in 2012 at £31,500.  

Computer (Mizzen Mast X Tolerance) his dam Won a maiden special weight at Hollywood Park in 2006, American pedigree. 

Fallen In Line (Pivotal X Fallen Star) full brother to Fallen Idol (Won Heron Stakes Listed), half brother to Coronation Stakes Group 1 Winner Fallen For You & Fallen In Love (Group placed), Sure to be popular from the John Gosden stable & the choice of William Buick.

Famous Kid (Street Cry X Moyesii) is a half brother to St Leger Group 1 Winner Mastery & multiple Group winner Kirklees. (Derby entered)

Fine Tune (Medicean X Philippa) half brother to Naseem Alyasmeem stakes placed. Made £58,000 as a yearling. 

Injun Sands (Halling X Serriera) cheap purchase as a foal in 2011 £26,500.

Made With Love (Exceed And Excel X Maid To Perfection) half brother to useful stayer Caucus & Listed winner Queen Of Pentacles. Dam was Listed placed.  

Mawaseel (Sea The Stars X Kareemah) nothing of real note in terms of close relatives but his dam was a Listed winner at Chantilly & she is a half sister to Lahudood 1st Flower Bowl Grade 1 & Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf Grade 1.

Nouvelle Ere (Archipenko X Sinister Ruckus) cheap purchase £24,150, Dam is a full sister to Jealous Again Won Queen Mary Stakes Group 2. 

Prince Of Stars (Sea The Stars X Queen's Logic) out of an unbeaten Champion 2 year old Filly & half brother to useful sprinter Lady Of The Desert Winner of Lowther Group 2, Diadem Group 2 & Princess Margaret Group 3.

Randwick (High Chaparral X Subito) made £73,500 in Tattersalls Book 2 in 2012, related 4 winners of no real note.

Satellite (Danehill Dancer X Perihelion) made £59,861 as a foal & then £91,805 as a yearling at Goffs, Orby (Oct 2012), Dam was 2nd at 66/1 in 2008 Park Hill Stakes Group 2. 

Tabreek (Distorted Humour X Blushing) by the sire of Kentucky Derby Winners Monarchos & Super Saver, nothing of real note in the pedigree.

Tercel (Monsun X Kitty Hawk) dam was bought by Ballymacoll Stud for £192,027 back in 2008 but has bred little to date, she is a half sister to Prianca a Stakes winner.

Lady Lovelace (Byron X Grain Of Salt) from a cheap stallion & mare has bred nothing of value.

Moonvoy (Cape Cross X Needles And Pins) half sister to Alsindi winner of Oh So Sharp Stakes Group 3, made £136,500 as a foal in 2011

Wild Affaire (High Chaparral X En Garde) half sister to Gordon Stakes Group 3 winner Rebel Soldier & but only made £47,898 at Goffs, Orby yearling sale in 2012.

The Tattersalls Millions 1m2f sales race features the usual mixture of choicely bred animals & lesser ones hoping to scoop a big payday. The overrated still a maiden Johann Strauss will no doubt dominate the market which is excellent news as normally I would not be interested in this type of event from a betting point of view. Johann Strauss has now been beaten 4 times including in a maiden on his first start this season, his main claim to fame is a 2nd place finish in the Racing Post Trophy which is the main reason why I believe that Kingston Hill is no Classic contender. 

One of Johann Strauss's many conquerors Seagull Star 11/2 BETVICTOR / PADDY POWER (Dante & Derby entered) reopposes on Thursday he won on debut when both colts were making their respective debuts, it was unexpected but he won in the style of a pretty decent animal quickening up well in the dip, the extra distance should suit & he must have an excellent chance. 

Sudden Wonder is a big unit who won last seasons Houghton Conditions stakes after finishing in behind two pretty useful stablemates Outstrip & Pinzolo, he is expected to go on as a 3 year old & his trainer has been getting lots of work into him recently. 

I don't really see any of the others being involved.

The Group 3 Abernant Stakes sees the very useful miler / 7 furlong horse Aljamaheer drop to sprinting in a bid to gain star status. On his running style it really should suit him, my worry is his stable who are usually slow out of the blocks & Mustahaded didn't do a lot on Saturday to change my opinion. 

Tropics was disappointing on his return in The Cammidge a few weeks ago but was carrying a penalty as he is tomorrow, that is enough to put me off this upwardly mobile sprinter who may be best left alone until the second half of the season. 

Dinkum Diamond bounced back to something like his best in the Cammidge & gained his first win in 2 years, if he returns in the same form he can remain competitive.

Dear old Es Que Love was kept incredibly busy last season & to his credit kept running well, he is not up to this class however. Hamza 4/1 SKYBET / PADDY POWER won a handicap from the front on 1000 Guineas day last season & then progressed up the ranks without winning, he ran well in Dubai recently & on a course he goes well on should take some pegging back.

Heaven's Guest was a top 3 year old handicapper last season but both times he has contested pattern company he has been easily beaten, he is still young so after another winter on his back he should be stronger & may cope with pattern company this time around but to me is best at 7f. Old Hitchens needs a pass to help in these races now. Racy just doesn't get home over a stiff 6f & still only has 2 wins to his name despite a string of decent efforts most recently in Dubai.

On paper its a really decent renewal of the Weatherbys Earl Of Sefton Stakes Group 3 with Danadana being forced to give weight away to his rivals after he broke through at Group 3 level in last season's Huxley Stakes, he also won a Listed race at Veliefendi last season. Early on seems best to catch him so he has chances but the weight should see him beat.

Old Boom And Bust is a bloody consistent animal but he always finds one or two too good.

 Elkaayed always looked the type to make a better 4 year old & this long striding son of Distorted Humour Hawk steps back into pattern company after two disappointing efforts last year, the ground has come for him but his slow starting stable puts me off. I do also  wonder if his future lies in the US where the Turf races could be his for the taking. 

Fencing has flattered to deceive for the last few years & is not upto this level on all known form but with the help of a red hot trainer plus a run under his belt he has chances. Stamina is the issue with him though.

First Mohican's hurdling career has not really gone to plan, he was beaten in lesser company on his latest & reverts to the level in a tough race.

French Navy is a consistent minor Group performer but I just feel his best form is on a softer surface.

Gospel Choir has been a favourite of mine for awhile now & I have thought for sometime he would eventually be contesting Group races but not at 1m1f which is far too short for this staying horse, it looks a pipe opener for what will hopefully prove a productive season.

Mull Of Killough is back in a grade he can at least be competitive after his worldwide travels of the last year or so in which he has been overfaced. It remains to be seen how much ability he retains back on his favourite course.

Just The Judge last year's 1000 Guineas 2nd & Irish 1000 Guineas winner was most disappointing thereafter so it is very surprising that she was not packed off to stud. Receiving weight she must have a good chance if she is anywhere near here best over a trip that promises to suit.

The closing 2 races look worthy of watching again as there are some well bred fillies making their debuts in the maiden;
 Dorrar (Shamardal X Dorrati (Dubai Millenium)) her dam is a daughter of Bahr Winner of Musidora Stakes Group 3 & Ribblesdale Stakes Group 2. 
 Etaab (Street Cry X Ethaara) half sister to Estiqaama.
Executrix (Oasis Dream X Exclusive) half sister to Echelon Winner of Matron Stakes Group 1.
 Hadaatha (Sea The Stars X Hathrah) Dam has only bred multiple handicap winner Itlaaq of note but was a stakes Winner Masaka Listed & she was 3rd in 1000 Guineas Group 1 in 2004. She is entered in the 1000 Guineas, Oaks & Irish Oaks. 

  Margaret's Mission (Shamardal X Wimple) full sister to Sharnberry who was Stakes placed.
Perfect Light (Galileo X Beauty Bright) her Dam Won Renaissance Stakes Group 3 in 2006 & went onto to be 6th in The Prix De L'Abbaye Group 1 that year.
Ramshackle (Dansili X Purissima) dam was a well talked up 2 year old who was sent off 4/1f for The Rockfel Group 2 but was a disappointing 10th & was only seen once more on a racecourse when she again disappointed.
 Sighora (Royal Applause X Singitta) is a half sister to useful sprint handicapper Singeur.
Solar Magic (Pivotal X Moon Goddess) half sister to Starscope 2nd in 1000 Guineas / Coronation Stakes Group 1.
Solar Moon (Pivotal X Dubai Sunrise) her dam is an unraced full sister to the outstanding Dubai Millenium.

Of those who have already had a run Ermine Ruby (Cape Cross X Ruby Rocket) is a half sister to top class sprinter Maarek, while Spring Fling (Assertive X Twilight Mistress) is a half sister to Music Master, Popping Candy (Oasis Dream X Blessing (Dubai Millennium)) is a half sister to Stakes placed Sweetie Time & Wedding Wish (Acclamation X Have Faith) is a half sister to Stakes placed Faithful One.  

The closing 3 year old handicap features Cloudscape (entered in Derby) who created a favourable impression in December on the AWT at Kempton. Luca Cumani's filly Volume (entered in English & Irish Oaks) is also worthy of respect along but will struggle to give weight away to some nice colts like Raven Ridge (entered in Dante & Derby) & Top Tug who should both make better 3 year olds.

@fttfracing