Craven Stakes predictions and odds: Thursday 15 April
The feature race of Newmarket’s first meeting of the new season is the bet365 Craven Stakes on Thursday afternoon at 3.35pm.
The Group 3 contest over the Rowley Mile is the first of the British Classic trials and will provide a few pointers for the 2,000 Guineas back here next month.
This renewal has attracted a field of 10 and our tipster has a selection and next best for the race.
Newmarket, Thursday, 3.35pm – Bet365 Craven Stakes 2021 odds
Odds are courtesy of bet365, correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
- Master Of The Seas @ 5/2
- La Barrosa @ 5/1
- Khartoum @ 6/1
- Sandhurst @ 15/2
- Devilwala @ 10/1
- Mystery Smiles @ 12/1
- Akmaam @ 14/1
- Imperial Sands @ 14/1
- Royal Air Force @ 14/1
- The Rosstafarian @ 14/1
Bet365 Craven Stakes betting tips
Odds correct at time of publishing and may be subject to change.
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Godolphin and Ballydoyle go head to head
The first of the major British Classic trials has an added twist, with Aidan O’Brien sending over two runners from Ireland to challenge the home hopefuls.
They face a brace of leading contenders in Godolphin blue (both for Charlie Appleby) as well as candidates from Hugo Palmer, Simon & Ed Crisford, Andrew Balding, Ralph Beckett and Brian Meehan’s stables.
Master Of The Seas heads the betting for Godolphin. He landed the Group 2 Superlative Stakes on the July Course here last summer before tasting defeat in the National Stakes in Ireland on his most recent start. He was turned over at Meydan in February by Naval Crown (second here Wednesday) and holds strong claims in a first-time hood.
Stablemate La Barrosa is the mount of James Doyle and is a Group 3 winner around here already from last season. His final outing came on heavy ground in France and probably is best forgotten. The duo lead the British challenge but could be facing a strong raiding party.
Khartoum can live up to price tag
This is a race that is missing from Aidan O’Brien’s CV and he fields his first Craven runners since 2017 now with KHARTOUM and Sandhurst. Ryan Moore takes the ride on the former, with Frankie Dettori on board the ‘second string’.
Both are open to plenty of improvement and will have to step forward but they likely have that in them, with the Ballydoyle team enjoying a fine start to this season.
Khartoum cost his connections $1,000,000 and got on the scoresheet at the second time of asking last season when bagging a Curragh maiden (7f, soft) under Colin Keane. He’s fancied to make significant progress in the months ahead and comes into this holding entries in both the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Irish Derby.
O’Brien has seen some more fancied contenders trumped in this race in the past, but perhaps this promising colt can finally land him a Craven success. A big run from Dettori’s mount is also very possible.
Tip: Khartoum @ 6/1 with bet365
Beckett’s Devilwala has place claims
Notwithstanding that both Master Of The Seas and La Barrosa head up the British challenge, Ralph Beckett’s DEVILWALA could be the each-way contender of note.
The colt put up a fine effort when fourth in the Dewhurst (7f, soft) at 100/1 here last season, his first run after switching from Archie Watson’s yard.
That was a determined effort and if Rossa Ryan is able to bounce out and make the running from stall one, a big run from 113-rated Devilwala is possible.
His final start last season was in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland and is easily forgiven, the rough nature of that contest not playing to his strength. At double-figure odds, he’s certainly not one to overlook despite the presence of some very powerful connections.
Tip: Devilwala @ 10/1 with bet365
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