A new season begins at Newmarket this afternoon as Flat-racing Headquarters stages day one of their curtain-raising Craven Meeting.
It’s a seven-race card on Tuesday (1.00pm-4.30pm) headlined by the Listed Feilden Stakes at 3.20pm. You can watch all the action from Newmarket via live streaming when logged into MansionBet and our tipster has selection to follow on day one.
1.00 – Alex Scott Maiden Stakes (7f)
Lexington Knight (second) was a length-and-a-quarter in front of Carolus Magic (third) at Doncaster last month and both will have designs on landing this, while there’s been support already for Roger Varian’s Hamoudi – a 220,000 gns Dark Angel colt that failed to set the heather on fire in one run last season; he should be much better before long. MAGICAL LAND was twice second in good maidens at 6f/7f here last season and the Godolphin inmate may go a place better on his return.
Selection: Magical Land @ 5/6
1.35 – British EBF Novice Stakes (5f)
A field of newcomers here on their first day at school. Plenty make sound appeal on paper, amongst them Antiphon and MAGIC WARRIOR, a pair of promising Kodiac colts representing Andrew Balding and Richard Hannon respectively. The latter is well related, cost 140,000 gns and has the assistance of Ryan Moore on debut for a trainer in great form.
Selection: Magic Warrior @ 9/2
2.10 – British EBF Conditions Stakes (7f)
All bar one of these boast winning form on track already. Duke Of Mantua has a recent run behind him in a competitive Curragh event and looks a key player for Aidan O’Brien but NOBLE DYNASTY is preferred. He went well in one run here last summer, narrowly missing out, and beat a subsequent winner on the Polytrack at Kempton in the autumn in his only other start. Charlie Appleby’s colt has a 2,000 Guineas entry and may bag this on his comeback.
Selection: Noble Dynasty @ 2/1
2.45 – Pat Smullen Memorial Handicap (1m)
A fiercely competitive line-up for the race Newmarket has fittingly elected to run in memory of the late, great Pat Smullen. OVERWRITE was disappointing on his turf return but Mark Johnston’s charge has since improved to be second on the all-weather at Newcastle. He could be a tough nut to crack with that fitness on his side.
Selection: Overwrite @ 5/1
3.20 – Feilden Stakes (Listed, 1m1f)
The feature on day one and the Feilden Stakes looks very competitive. Secret Protector was in winning form earlier this spring in Dubai, while both Highland Avenue and Arturo Toscanini are noted stepping into this grade. However, ROYAL CHAMPION looked good when taking a September maiden around here, a race that has thrown up plenty subsequent winners, and Roger Varian’s Derby-entered son of Shamardal could take some stopping today.
Selection: Royal Champion @ 5/2
3.55 – Price Promise At bet365 Handicap (7f)
Riot and Eastern World are amongst the race-fit runners with strong credentials in this handicap and both command the utmost respect. The Exceed And Excel filly DOUBLE OR BUBBLE can give them plenty to think about however. She was 2-2 last season, most recently winning an Ascot handicap in September off 85. She looks sure to progress again and is proven to go well off a break.
Selection: Double Or Bubble @ 7/1
4.30 – bet365.com Handicap (5f)
Many with chances in the lucky last. Hans Solo Berger should go well, while Jack The Truth has a good record around this place, though is now high enough in the ratings. Rewaayat should be a threat for Charlie Hills and Jim Crowley but ILLUSIONIST is potentially value at double-figure odds. He ran some good races in defeat last season and is capable of finding his way into the mix here if ready to go on his return.
Selection: Illusionist @ 10/1
*All odds correct at time of writing