Thursday 18th April 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (jordan_yates_)
Newmarket Craven Meeting Preview & Cheltenham April Meeting Preview.
2.05 Cheltenham: Sporting Agenda Challenger Series Mares’ Chase Final Handicap Chase: My first selection of the day on Thursday comes in the 2.05 at Cheltenham which is mares’ handicap chase over three miles and a furlong and a half. I like Moviddy here for the team of Noel Williams and Jonathan Burke. She’s been off the track since pulling up at Newbury in January, however, we seem to see the best of her around this time of year and she’ll be a lot fresher than most of her rivals. She’ll also appreciate the sound surface and I believe she can run a big race. Moviddy – 7/1 (Each-Way)
3.00 Newmarket: Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes: Next up for me it’s over to Newmarket for the 3.05 which is the Group 3 Abernant Stakes over six furlongs. I’m with Shouldvebeenaring here who’s current trading at a best price of 5/1 for Richard Hannon and Sean Levey. He developed into a very admirable performer last season, placing in top-level events as well as winning a Listed contest at this track. He posted a satisfactory effort when returning to the track in the Lady Wulfruna Stakes at Wolverhampton and that should’ve blown the cobwebs away for this assignment. Shouldvebeenaring – 5/1 (Each-Way) (NB)
3.15 Cheltenham: British EBF Mares’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase Final: My third selection of the afternoon comes back at Cheltenham and within the 3.15 which is another mares’ event this time in the form of a novice handicap chase over two miles and four and a half furlongs. I’m taking a chance on Lady Adare in this for Harry Fry and Jonathan Burke. She’s got quite a similar profile to earlier selection Moviddy coming into this race, having been pulled-up on his last start and given a break since. That run in her case came back in November and she’ll likely appreciate coming into the contest fresh. She’s on a high mark, however, I think she’s the best horse in the race and if she runs to the level of her effort when second behind Knappers Hill in Grade 2 company back in November she’ll be tough to beat. Lady Adare – 5/1 (Each-Way)
3.35 Newmarket: bet365 Craven Stakes: Signing me off for the afternoon will be the feature from Newmarket which is the Group 3 Craven Stakes which is contested over a mile. I’m with the French horse Alcantor here for Andre Fabre and Alexis Pouchin. He looks like a colt with significant potential having already won a Group 3 contest as well finishing half-a-length second in the Group 1 Criterium Stakes when he was last seen back in October. That’s the best piece of form on offer here and if he runs to that sort of level again he should prove tough to beat. Alcantor – 3/1 (Win) (NAP)
