Several runners hold strong claims in an open-looking Craven. The percentage call goes to WIMBLEDON HAWKEYE, who has solid form and registered his Group 2 success over this C&D. Opera Ballo (second choice; highly promising) and Aomori City give Charlie Appleby a very robust hand, while Field Of Gold remains open to further improvement, New Century is a Grade 1 winner and Matauri Bay could still have more to offer.[Steve Boow]
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Very useful colt whose 2yo form featured a success in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood (7f, good) and close third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (1m, firm); big player on the figures and may rate higher still.
Below par in heavy-ground Horris Hill on final 2yos start; progressive on good going otherwise and bagged Listed honours at Doncaster (7f) the time before; however, something to find in this field.
Showed further progress to beat Matauri Bay in the Solario at Sandown (7f, good); ran creditably, despite the ground probably being softer than ideal, in French Group 1 subsequently; remains of major interest.
Scored on debut then finished second to Field Of Gold in the Solario; form dipped sharply in heavy-ground French Group 1 (had wind surgery since) but he may still have more to offer; by no means written off.
Record of 3-6 in his progressive 2yo campaign featured a Grade 1 success in Canada (1m, firm); good fourth at the Breeders' Cup and ties in with Aomori City on that effort; strong contender back on home soil.
Exciting prospect who has impressively justified favouritism in two Kempton races (1m, AW) that were won last year by the same yard's Notable Speech en route to 2,000 Guineas glory; potentially high class.
Useful performer but finished behind a couple of these rivals at the Breeders' Cup and everything went his way in a Group 3 contest here (7f, soft) the time before; not the percentage call.
Justified favouritism in a couple of AW novice events this winter, latest comfortably at Wolverhampton (7f); promising sort but needs big improvement at this level, being clear bottom on ratings.
Seems versatile as regards ground; solid operator whose form stacks up well, and he's the only C&D winner in this field having landed the Royal Lodge; placed in the Futurity on final start; commands respect.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
