Tuesday 14th April 2026
We kick off this year’s Craven Meeting at Newmarket on Tuesday, and I have four selections on the opening day, the first of which comes within the 1.15, a Class 4 maiden event over seven furlongs. The horses who already have experience here don’t set a daunting standard; therefore, it could pay to side with CERRO BLANCO for the Godolphin duo of Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He’s an appealing type on paper and represents a yard that farms winners at both Newmarket tracks. They won this race last year with Indian Springs, and it’d be no great surprise to see them take this year’s renewal with this Wootton Bassett colt.
My second selection of the day comes in the second race, the 1.50, which is a Class 4 novice event contested over five furlongs. I’ve come down on ADAAY OF SCARLETT here, who makes his racecourse debut for Hugo Palmer, and has the services of Oisin Murphy on board. He’s a colt by Mehmas, and represents a yard that won this race back in 2015 with the talented Gifted Master. Palmer also hit the target with his first two-year-old runner of the season earlier this month at Bath, and has a decent strike-rate when teaming up with Oisin Murphy. There’s every chance this particular two-year-old could make a winning debut, given the speed in his pedigree.
We move on to the 2.25 now, which is a Class 2 conditions event, which is ridden over a distance of seven furlongs. My best bet of the day runs here, and this comes in the form of TALK OF NEW YORK, who’s another one for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He’s short in the betting at the time of writing; however, I think that he could arguably be shorter, as he’s a very exciting colt for his powerhouse connections. He made a big impression on his racecourse debut at Kempton back in October, when getting the better of subsequent winner Go Rimbuard by five and a half lengths. Most recently, he finished third of nine at Meydan in February, behind another exciting prospect in Title Role, with that run coming within Listed company. He should take another significant step forward here and prove very tough to beat.
My fourth and concluding selection of the afternoon comes within the 3.35, and this is a Class 3 handicap which is ridden over five furlongs. As to be expected, this is a competitive affair; however, this could be the time to be with REGAL ENVOY for William Knight, who’s another one for me to be ridden by the champion jockey Oisin Murphy. He won this race last year, and whilst his form tailed off slightly towards the end of the last campaign, as a result, he’s dropped back down in the weights to what looks to be a tempting mark. His win in this contest came off just two pounds lower, and it’s likely been a main target for him to come back to this particular contest.
Tuesday Selections
Newmarket Craven Meeting Day 1
1.15 Newmarket
CERRO BLANCO – (5/6) (Win) (NB)
1.50 Newmarket
ADAAY OF SCARLETT – (7/4) (Win)
2.25 Newmarket
TALK OF NEW YORK – (4/6) (Win) (NAP)
3.35 Newmarket
REGAL ENVOY – (7/2) (Win)
