Horse Racing Tips
Newmarket Craven Meeting 2026: Shadow King The NAP Of The Day On Tuesday
No sooner have the Aintree fences all been jumped, than the Flat season begins in earnest with the Craven Meeting at Newmarket.
The Craven Meeting is the traditional three-day season-opener for flat racing at the Rowley Mile Course in Newmarket. Established in 1771, it marks the unofficial start of the UK flat racing season and features several key trials for the upcoming Classic races in the month of May and beyond.
Our horse racing expert Steve Mullington, takes a look at the Day One card:
1.15 – 7f Maiden Stakes ( 3yo Colts & Geldings)
Charlie Appleby’s youngsters are always of major interest when the new turf season gets under was and his CERRO BLANCO is the pick here.
The three-year-old colt is owned by Godolphin, who incidentally sponsor most of the Craven meeting. Sired by Wootton Bassett out of Duneflower (by Dubawi), he is likely to be well forward in his preparation for this Maiden Stakes, especially with William Buick booked to ride.
1.50 – 5f Novice Stakes (2yo)
Owned by the Exors of the Late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, SHADOW KING (NAP) is sired by the decent stallion Dark Angel out of the dam Lady Of Dubai.
Given that the Hannon’s have traditionally got off to a flyer every season, with Richard Hannon Jr being renowned for his success with two-year-olds, the colt is a strong selection to land the spoils.
2.25 – 7f Conditions Stakes (3yo)
Wootton Bassett-colt TALK OF NEW YORK won a 1m maiden stakes by 5½ lengths under William Buick last October, then most recently finished third in the Listed Jumeirah 2,000 Guineas at Meydan.
On paper he’s the one they all have to beat and will be an odds-on shot in our market.
3.00 – 7f Handicap (3yo 0-80)
Trainer Roger Fell usually does pretty well at the Craven meeting and his HARSWELL ANGEL comes here fit from the all-weather.
The grey gelding looks favourably treated in the weights and can be a nice each-way play in our sports betting.
3.35 – 5f Handicap (4yo+ 0-95)
The Ian Williams-trained DIONISOS (NB) has slipped to a nice turf mark after spending some of the winter in Meydan, and with any luck can get back to winning ways here in the UK.
This speedy individual should be suited by the drop down to the minimum distance too.
4.10 – 1m Handicap (3yo 0-85)
Owners Drew and Ailsa Russell have already had some excitement this week when Lavida Adiva ran a blinder in the Liverpool Hurdle, however it’s their flat runner BLUE TO BLUE who takes centre stage today.
Stepping up to a mile for the first time, the colt is now trained by Ruth Jefferson after formerly being with Karl Burke.
4.45 – 1m Handicap (4yo+ 0-100)
David O’Meara’s BOPEDRO was pulled out of the Lincoln Handicap on account of the ground, so the veteran must have got his preferred ground here at HQ.
The ten-year-old is a course and distance winner at this venue and will be primed and ready for this after missing Doncaster.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
