Nick Luck
Nick Luck’s William Hill blog: Newmarket Craven Day best bets
William Hill ambassador Nick Luck previews Thursday’s ITV racing from Craven Day at Newmarket.
Newmarket, Thursday
TREANMOR looks a thoroughly solid option in the TV opener on Craven Day at Newmarket (1.50). Favourite for the Chesham after a striking debut, he didn’t really pass muster, but he was better in a couple of Dubai runs this winter, form that stands out here against some admittedly unexposed rivals. He’s been gelded since, an angle that often works well with this stable in particular.
PORTCULLIS just about makes the most appeal in the Wood Ditton (2.25). The Gosdens have their horses forward enough this week, and this one has quite an appealing pedigree as a Frankel out of a mare who has already produced a well above average runner.
BECKFORD’S FOLLY is a really interesting sprinter for this year, and can get things cracking in the Abernant (3.00). As a gelding, he won’t be eligible for the Commonwealth Cup, but that procedure might have been crucial in turning him round last year, as he showed a really smart turn of foot to put away two rivals in the Cornwallis who then firmly franked the form in the Breeders’ Cup. He’s not entirely straightforward – and you might see him do a lot of racing close to home this year – but he’s good, and can take advantage of the weight for age here.
OXAGON looks the percentage play at the prices in the Craven (3.35). His two year old season was a curate’s egg, but he can be excused sinking in the swamp in the Futurity, prior to which he ran pretty well in the Dewhurst when slightly marooned in the middle of the track. Even that effort will put him right there, while there’s nothing not to like about his Champagne Stakes second (arguably should have beaten a subsequent G1 winner) and I like the application of headgear.
