Craven Stakes preview: Runners, odds, trends and a big race verdict on Thursday

The highlight of Newmarket’s three-day Craven Meeting is the Craven Stakes itself, which takes place on Thursday at 3.35. A Group 3 for three-year-old colts and geldings, it’s a long established trial for next month’s 2000 Guineas. Newmarket and ITV‘s feature race is sure to be a fascinating watch so we’ve provided a preview which includes runners, odds and a verdict for the main event. You can check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

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Runners and odds

1. Alcantor

This French raider showed a fair level of form as a two-year-old and was last seen finishing second in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud. He’s an interesting runner and is entitled to run a big race.

2. Cambridge

Aidan O’Brien’s representative got off the mark in a Salisbury novice last year and followed that up by finishing second in a Group 3 over 1m1f when last seen. His overall form suggests he has a bit to find but he’s by no means a no-hoper.

3. Champagne Prince

The outsider of the field, Jane Chapple-Hyam’s colt is unbeaten in two starts thus far and can probably outrun his substantial odds here.

4. Eben Shaddad

John & Thady Gosden’s colt was third behind City Of Troy last time out and that was a solid effort. Improvement may be needed but he wouldn’t be far away on last season’s form.

5. Haatem

This horse has some really solid juvenile form but he tends to find one or two too good and whilst a big run can’t be ruled out, he’d be vulnerable from a win perspective.

6. Native Approach

Charlie Appleby’s Newmarket runners have been a little disappointing on the whole so far this week so that would be a concern. He was an impressive winner last time out however and big things are expected this year.

7. Sons And Lovers

Another for Jane Chapple-Hyam, he faces a significant step up in grade here and has a lot to prove. despite being a previous course winner.

Key trends

Charlie Appleby is the trainer to follow in the Craven and he has won three of the last five renewals of this race.

It’s been a race for the home team in recent history as each of the last 10 winners have been trained in Britain. This doesn’t bode well for the French and Irish raiders here.

Verdict

Native Approach could be the one to side with here. He was very impressive at Kempton last time out and is an athletic sort with an eye-catching big stride. Charlie Appleby’s colt has lots of potential and could become a classic contender.

If you back any of our selections you can watch them live on the free Racing Post app or racingpost.com. Simply log in to one of your bookmaker accounts and click ‘Watch live’ on the racecards.

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