Horse Racing Tips
Newmarket Craven Meeting 2026: Godolphin To Wear The Crown On Feature Day
It’s the third and final day of the 2026 Craven Meeting at Newmarket, with the Craven Stakes (a key trial for the 2000 Guineas) and the Abernant Stakes being the two main highlights of the meeting.
Our horse racing expert Steve Mullington marks your entire seven race card:
1.50 – 6f Handicap (3yo 0-100)
Owned by the Exors of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, RECIPRICATED has emerged as a promising sprinter following a successful juvenile campaign last term.
The winner of the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Novice Stakes at Carlisle last June, Karl Burke says this three-year-old is a “classy individual”.
2.25 – 1m Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes (3yo)
Godolphin often names horses with the “Knott” suffix, typically those out of the mare Lover’s Knot, a dam I regularly look out for.
On this occasion we have the newbie CROWN KNOTT (NAP) running in the famous blue silks, trained by Charlie Appleby and he looks sure to be competitive on reputation alone.
3.00 – 6f Abernant Stakes (Group 3 – 3yo+)
Course and distance winner WASHINGTON HEIGHTS is always one to watch on his debut run each season, and can put up a bold show at Newmarket.
A 33/1 shock winner of this race in 2024, the classy sprinter was last seen running down the field in the Prix de l’Abbaye from a poor draw.
Currently rated at 107, he should have a big part to play in this race and is well worth a look in our markets for this race.
3.35 – 1m Craven Stakes (Group 3 – Colts & Geldings 3yo)
Unbeaten in two starts as a juvenile, including the Flying Scotsman Stakes, AVICENNA (NB) can land the spoils for Roger Varian on Thursday afternoon.
Owned by Godolphin, the son of Starspangledbanner holds entries for versions of the 2000 Guineas across Europe and is very highly regarded by the yard.
4.10 – 7f Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (3yo+)
Blue Point-filly POINTE BLEU is certainly in good hands with William Haggas, and she can go well on her debut at Newmarket, with Tom Marquand on hand to ride this well-bred filly.
With her sire being a world-class sprinter and four-time Group 1 winner, you would like to think he has passed some of that on to this youngster.
4.45 1m2f Confined Novice Stakes (3yo)
As a Classic prospect for the 2026 Flat season, AMADEUS MOZART holds several high-profile entries, with Aidan O’Brien opting to kick start his season in this race rather than the Fielden Stakes.
He made a successful racecourse debut as a two-year-old last June at the, winning a seven-furlong maiden as the 10/11 favourite and hasn’t been seen since. He looks like being one of the main favourites today in our sports betting markets.
5.20 7f Handicap (4yo+ 0-95)
Course and distance scorer JUMBY has been a solid yardstick for Eve Johnson Houghton, and I can see the eight-year-old running another blinder over today’s seven furling trip.
A winner of 6 of his 44 starts, he generally gets off to a solid start on his seasonal bow.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
