Plenty of horse racing to get stuck into at Newmarket on Wednesday as it is the second day of the Craven Meeting. The feature race of the week takes centre stage at 3.35pm and we’ve analysed the Craven Stakes Odds to serve up our best bet for the race. We’ve also got tips for the rest of the day’s action…
The bet365 Handicap gets us started at headquarters and it promises to be a very competitive race. Breath Of Air is the 11/4 favourite with William Hill and is our top pick after beating subsequent Grade 3 winner Mohaather at Newbury last season, before finishing 3rd in Listed company.
| Wednesday – 1.50pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| bet365 Handicap | ||
| Breath Of Air to win Best Bet | 11/4 |  |
UAE Jewel is well respected for the 2.25pm and connections are clearly expecting plenty as he holds an entry for the Dane Stakes. This will be an informative maiden and Roger Varian’s colt is our best bet.
| Wednesday – 2.25pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes | ||
| UAE Jewel to win Best Bet | 11/8 |  |
The Abernant Stakes Odds have Brando as the favourite for the 3pm as he bids to win the Newmarket race for a third year in a row, although it is Dreamfield – 7/2 with William Hill – who is taken to end the ‘three-peat’ bid as we’re expecting him to come on.
| Wednesday – 3.00pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Abernant Stakes | ||
| Dreamfield to win Best Bet | 7/2 | |
The feature race of the day, and indeed the week, is the Group 3 Craven Stakes at 3.35pm. Zakouski is the favourite for last year’s winning trainer Charlie Appleby, although French Group 1 winner, Royal Marine, demands respect and sets the standard for us.
Godolphin’s Royal Marine is 3/1 with Paddy Power.
| Wednesday – 3.35pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Nell Gwyn Stakes | ||
| Royal Marine to win Best Bet | 3/1 | |
The Rossdales Maiden Fillies’ Stakes takes place at 4.10pm and there is much to like about Clerisy. Sir Michael Stoute’s filly finished 3rd on debut at Wolverhampton and is tipped to prosper at HQ.
| Wednesday – 4.10pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Rossdales Maiden Fillies’ Stakes | ||
| Clerisy to win Best Bet | 11/8 |  |
The penultimate race of the day is the ‘Confined’ Novice Stakes and plenty is expected of El Misk, who won on debut at Newcastle and can make a statement of intent ahead of a campaign that sees the 3-year-old hold entries for both the Dante and Epsom Derby this season.
| Wednesday – 4.45pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Confined’ Novice Stakes | ||
| El Misk to win Best Bet | 3/1 | |
Finally, Karnavaal showed progressive form as a 2-year-old and looks a decent bet for the 5.20pm. A winner at Chelmsford in October, the colt is a top tip for the last race of Day Two at Newmarket.
| Wednesday – 5.20pm | Odds | Bets |
|---|---|---|
| Coates And Seely Blanc De Blancs Handicap | ||
| Karnavaal to win Best Bet | 4/1 | |