Tuesday 18th April 2023

Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)

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Welcome aboard to this Tuesday blog where it’s the first of three days of action at Newmarket for the Craven Meeting for 2023, and I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the action featured on ITV each day.

My first punt comes in the 1:50 which is the opener and a ‘Conditions Stakes’ that’s ridden over seven furlongs. I’ve taken a chance on Holguin here who’s currently trading at a best price of 7/1 for Andrew Balding and David Probert. He earned himself a mark of 94 when signing off the season in October last year, when finishing second of sixteen in a listed contest at Redcar. That’s the best form on offer in this race, and whilst he may be vulnerable to potential improvers at the top of the betting he could well have more to offer himself, and on all-known form, I think he’s the one who sets the standard.

The 2:25 is up next which is a ‘Class 2 Handicap’  that’s to be ridden over a distance of seven furlongs. In this competitive affair, I’m taking another chance on Tacarib Bay at 6/1 for Richard Hannon and on this occasion ridden by Ryan Moore. I put him up on his most recent outing which came at Doncaster at the Lincoln Meeting last month, and on that occasion, he finished third having travelled into the race well. That run came within listed company and back down in a handicap I think he’s got a great chance of improving on his first run back on turf this term. He’s one of the highest-rated horses in the contest and if anywhere near his best could prove tough to beat at a decent price.

Next up is the 3:00 which is another ‘Class 2 Handicap’ this time contested over a mile. I’m taking a chance on another one at a decent price here which comes in the form of Greatgadian at 15/2 for Roger Varian and Aidan Keeley who takes off five pounds. He ran a cracking race at a massive price last time out in the Lincoln at Doncaster, when finishing sixth of twenty-two, and has quite generously been dropped a couple of pounds by the handicapper. That drop in the weights has put him back down to his last winning mark and if producing the same level of form as that Doncaster run he’s got to have a big chance in this.

My final selection of the opening day comes in the 3:35 which is the ‘Earl Of Sefton Stakes’ which is a Group 3 event that’s ridden over a mile and four furlongs. I think that this can go to Ottoman Fleet at 11/4 for William Buick and Charlie Appleby who’s my NAP of the day sporting the famous blue silks of Godolphin. He signed off his season on these shores with a listed win at this track in November, before going on to place in three group races over in Meydan. I think that’s the best current form on offer in this, and he could well still have a significant improvement in him. The added bonus of having a track form is a big bonus around here too.