15:35 Newmarket

Thursday 18 April 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

bet365 Craven Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:35 | Winning time: 1m 35.09s

(5)

Alcantor¹⁷⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Alexis Pouchin| T: A Fabre| OR: 112| BF| D

2/1

Smart 3-time winner in France, notably a 1m Group 3 at Saint-Cloud. Good ½-length second of 7 to Sunway in Criterium International there (1m again) final start. Yard's British runners always merit respect.

Form: 13112-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Cambridge¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 98| D

5/1

Dubawi colt who confirmed debut promise in determined fashion when landing 12-runner Salisbury novice (1m) in September. Very useful effort when 4¼ lengths second to stablemate in Leopardstown Group 3 the following month. Likely capable of better again.

Form: 312-

(4)

Champagne Prince¹³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Egan| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 88

22/1

Looked a useful prospect when winning a pair of 7f AW novices in 2023. More to come but he'll need a big chunk of improvement to stretch his unbeaten record to 3.

Form: 11-

(6)

Eben Shaddad^h1¹⁸⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 112

10/3

Impressive debut winner on July Course and placed in the Tattersalls and Dewhurst over 7f here in the autumn. Smart effort when 4½ lengths third of 8 to City of Troy latterly and that sets the standard here. Hooded first-time on return.

Form: 133-

(2)

Haatem¹⁸⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 105

17/2

Group 2 winner at 2 but his form was no better than useful and he finished 4 lengths behind the reopposing Eben Shaddad when fifth in the Dewhurst on final start. Others are preferred.

Form: 521955-

(7)

Native Approach^h⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| D

4/1

Built on his promising 7f Kempton debut when readily going one better over 1m there 3 weeks later. Has the potential for significant improvement for a top stable which does well in this race.

Form: 21

(3)

Sons And Lovers¹⁹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: L Morris| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| C

28/1

Sprung a 33/1 surprise on his 7f course debut in October, overcoming greenness to lead close home (plenty of winners in behind). Looks sure to improve but this is a big ask.

Form: 1-

Forecasts

Alcantor (2/1), Eben Shaddad (10/3), Native Approach (4/1), Cambridge (5/1), Haatem (17/2), Champagne Prince (22/1), Sons And Lovers (28/1)

This looks a cracking renewal. EBEN SHADDAD sets a good standard on his Dewhurst third and there should be more to come this year so he's preferred to French raider Alcantor, another with Group 1 form in the book, and Godolphin's Native Approach.