Tuesday 15th April 2025
1.50 Newmarket: Weatherbys With Venatour Racing Handicap: Kicking things off for us at the Craven Meeting at Newmarket will be the 1.50 on Tuesday, a Class 2 handicap over six furlongs. I’ve had two plays in this competitive affair, the first being Physique for Pam Sly and Oisin Murphy. He made an encouraging start to life for this yard when finishing fourth of nineteen at Doncaster a couple of weeks ago and a length and three-quarters behind Dark Thiry who he’ll reoppose here. He’ll contest this off the same mark which is the same as his last winning one. I also like Aramram for Richard Hannon and Joe Leavy who takes off three pounds. He posted two fine efforts on the all-weather on his latest two outings when only narrowly denied a head and shoulder in two competitive handicaps. He’s off the same mark here as his last effort at Southwell with the added bonus of a further three pounds coming off his back from his rider, he’s still relatively unexposed and can go well again. Physique – 5/1 (Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms) & Aramram – 13/2 (Each-Way) (4 places- Several firms)
2.25 Newmarket: bet365 Feilden Stakes: Next up is the 2.25 and this is the Listed Feilden Stakes which is contested over a distance of a mile and a furlong. There’s a whole host of these that have the potential to be smart, however, I’ve sided with the one who has the form in the book and that’s Green Storm for Charlie Johnston and Tom Marquand. He was a wide-margin winner of a Yarmouth maiden back in September and then took his form up a level when finishing a length second here in the Group 3 Zetland Stakes to Starzintheireyes in October before following up with another fine second-placed effort, this time in Group 1 company in France. That form sets the standard here and I think he’s the one they have to beat. Green Storm – 11/2 (Each-Way)
3.00 Newmarket: bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes: We continue to move up in Grade at 3:00 with the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes which is ridden over a mile and a furlong. I’m with Ottoman Fleet here for the team of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He’s got top-level form all around the globe and has won this race for the last two years in a row. He’ll also have a slight fitness edge on his side having raced at Meydan back in January and he’ll possibly be more tuned up than the likes of Ambiente Friendly as connections have targeted this race with him in the past. He should post another bold bid in the contest. Ottoman Fleet – 11/8 (Win)
3.35 Newmarket: Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes: The fourth race of the afternoon is the 3.35 and this is more Group 3 action in the form of the Nell Gwyn Stakes that’s contested over seven furlongs. I like Nardra here who’s currently trading at a best price of 4/1 for William Haggas and Tom Marquand. She’s only had one racecourse appearance to date, however, that particular outing was a very impressive one as she bolted up at Haydock by eight and a half lengths. She holds an entry to the 1000 Guineas and she could well be another top-class filly for the Haggas yard. If she’s progressed over the winter she could prove tough to beat here. Nardra – 4/1 (Win)
