Newmarket tips on April 19th
Day two of the Craven Meeting is headlined by the Nell Gwyn Stakes, a Group Three that is often used as a trial for the 1000 Guineas. 12 months ago, George Boughey's Cachet kicked off her season with victory in the Nell Gwyn, before going on to claim a surprise win in that fillies' Classic.
Here's our free guide to the 2023 Nell Gwyn Stakes and our best betting tips.
2023 Nell Gwyn Stakes Odds
2023 Nell Gwyn Stakes Runners
15 talented fillies will contest Wednesday's main event and it's John and Thady Gosden's Coppice - a full-sister to the talented Calyx - who currently tops the betting.
William Buick and Charlie Appleby team up with Fairy Cross. Tom Marquand rides impressive Wolverhampton winner Girl Racer for William Haggas. Jessica Harrington sends Sioux Nation filly Small Oasis over from Ireland.
Last year's Guineas-winning partnership of James Doyle and George Boughey team up again with Believing. Kevin Stott rides her stablemate, Queen Olly. Mammas Girl, Secret Angel, Sweet Harmony, Lady Bullet and Dubai Jemila complete the field.
2023 Nell Gwyn Stakes Tips
As I mentioned earlier, Inner Space is a filly who could progress into a real Classic contender. This seven-furlong trip could prove a bit sharp, but I wouldn't be surprised if she ran well. Girl Racer, on the other hand, looked like a real speedball when making a winning debut at Wolverhampton and I'd worry about her ability to cope with this testing track.
The beautifully-bred Coppice is an obvious contender for Frankie Dettori and the Gosden's. However, at the prices, I'd rather side with FAIRY CROSS, who is far more experienced than the market leader and she's already had a run during the early weeks of the season.
Charlie Appleby's filly finished fifth behind Mawj on debut here on the Rowley Mile last May, before going on to open her account with an emphatic maiden victory in the July course. Following a narrow defeat to Dance In the Grass in the Listed Star Stakes, Fairy Cross struck in the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood, where William Buick's mount always looked in command and it was only her idling in the closing stages that helped Breege get within two lengths of the winner.
William Buick's mount met with Mawj again as she made her reappearance in the Jumeirah Fillies Guineas back in February. A rocket start from Mawj allowed Saeed bin Suroor's filly to quickly open up an unassailable lead. Fairy Cross, who started slowly, attempted to make in-roads late on, but couldn't bridge the eight-length gap between herself and the impressive winner.
It's very hard to recover from slow starts around Meydan, so that performance is easily forgiven. With that run under her belt and the softer ground conditions in her favour, Fairy Cross could have the beating of this talented field.
