'He could take some beating' - Harry Wilson's tips for Newmarket's Craven meeting and the televised action from Cheltenham
Harry Wilson returns with his advice for all seven races from day two of Newmarket's Craven meeting on Wednesday - plus the two live on ITV4 from Cheltenham . . .
1.50 Newmarket
bet365 Handicap, 6f
Harry's tip: Invictus Gold
Invictus Gold was a big improver for Tom Clover after being gelded last year, following up a cosy victory at Southwell (form franked by the next three all winning since) with a comfortable success under a penalty on the July course at Newmarket before finishing fifth in a Listed event at York in October when last seen. That latest run was better than the bare form suggests, as he was hampered at the start and got into a bumping match at halfway, and he again showed he coped well with easy underfoot conditions. He looks to be on a workable mark and the recent rain should aid his cause on his handicap debut for his in-form yard.
2.05 Cheltenham
Kingston Stud Handicap Hurdle, 2m4½f
Harry's tip: American Sniper
American Sniper has produced his three highest Racing Post Ratings when tried in first-time headgear, including twice over this sort of trip on the Old course at Cheltenham. However, he'd had three runs without headgear before winning in refitted cheekpieces at Newbury in November, so it seems he produces his best efforts when switching headgear. That didn't come to fruition last time when the blinkers went back on, but it was the Pertemps Final and he did too much too soon over that longer trip (was still leading rounding the home turn). He's just 2lb above his last winning mark and it could prove significant that he now switches from blinkers to cheekpieces here.
2.25 Newmarket
bet365 Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes, 1m
Harry's tip: Muhaajim
There are loads of good pedigrees on show, with the Gosdens' pair Altareq (brother to Listed winner Al Asifah) and Caughtredhanded (Cracksman half-brother to Listed scorer Bartzella) of interest, but preference is for Muhaajim. By Sea The Stars out of a Coronation Stakes winner, he's a half-brother to the useful Latest Generation and Group-placed Daneh and is trained by William Haggas, who has a good record with unraced three-year-olds (28 per cent strike-rate since 2020).
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2.40 Cheltenham
Matt Hampson Foundation Silver Trophy Handicap Chase (Grade 2), 2m4½f
Harry's tip: Fugitif
Riskintheground won well at Ayr and could still be on a workable mark despite being 10lb higher, while O'Moore Park ran well at the Cheltenham Festival, but I'm willing to give Fugitif another go. His jumping has been harming his chances, but he's now 4lb lower than when winning the December Gold Cup over this course and distance in 2023 and any rain that falls will be in his favour. If putting in a clearer round, he'll be seriously hard to beat.
3.00 Newmarket
Blandford Bloodstock Abernant Stakes (Group 3), 6f
Harry's tip: Romantic Style
Romantic Style won a strong running of the Group 3 Prix Imprudence last April, when getting the better of subsequent Group 1 winners Ramatuelle and Tamfana, before finishing a close fourth in the French 1,000 Guineas. Connections had doubts over her stamina, though, and after disappointing in a mile Group 2 at Meydan in January, she took her record over 6f to 7111 (seventh came on her debut when slowly away) with a comfortable victory in a Listed event there two weeks later. She handles ease underfoot and could have untapped potential as a sprinter.
3.35 Newmarket
bet365 Craven Stakes (Group 3), 7f
Harry's tip: Wimbledon Hawkeye
Most of the field are unproven with an ease underfoot, but Wimbledon Hawkeye coped well on soft ground in the autumn, winning the Group 2 Royal Lodge over this course and distance before finishing third in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in October when last seen. He isn't ground dependant, though, as he was beaten less than two lengths by The Lion In Winter on good to firm ground in the Acomb in August. That is a strong piece of form, with the third bolting up at Meydan and the fourth landing a Group 3 since, and he could take some beating in these conditions on his reappearance.
4.10 Newmarket
Rossdales Maiden Fillies' Stakes, 7f
Harry's tip: Stellenbosch
Seren Star is related to a few winners and will be a danger if ready to go first time out, while Swiss Lightning was slowly away when fancied in the market for a novice here in November and could step forward if breaking kinder this time, but Stellenbosch is preferred. She finished a close third on both starts at two in July, latterly showing she stayed this trip behind one who ran well in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes next time. Richard Hannon's runners are going well and she should handle the ground.
4.45 Newmarket
bet365 EBF 'Confined' Novice Stakes, 1m2f
Harry's tip: Push The Limit
Push The Limit was a promising winner on his debut at Kempton, always front rank and travelling like a useful one before extending well to win with a bit in hand. By Le Havre out of a 1m3f winner, he's got a nice, long stride and shouldn't have any issue getting a mile and a quarter, while softer ground should hold no fears. He holds entries in the Dante and the Derby, and could progress into a smart colt.
5.20 Newmarket
Watch Live Racing At bet365 Handicap, 7f
Harry's tip: Darkness
Darkness isn't always the most consistent, but he got back in the winner's enclosure when tackling soft ground at Sandown in September, beating a subsequent winner, and had excuses for his next two defeats (raced keenly on his own and slowly away). He has gone well fresh before, has a pretty solid record on the Rowley Mile without winning and could be the best horse in the conditions.
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