Craven Stakes Betting Preview

At 4.10 the Craven Stakes are run at Newmarket and six horses line up with classic pretentions. Although regarded as a strong trial for the 2000 Guineas only Haafhd has done the double in the last ten years.

Favourite for the race is Native Khan at evens with William Hill. Winner of the Solario Stakes last year, he had his colours lowered in the Racing Post trophy when beaten into fourth by Casamento. Trainer Ed Dunlop suggested the ground at Doncaster was to blame, although times suggest it was no worse than good. At 20/1 for the Guineas he is still a live contender but will be expected to win the Craven.

Second in the betting at 11/2 is Yaseer. Winner of his last start on the all-weather he looked a fair prospect. Trainer Marcus Tregoning says he is using the race as a stepping stone for other contests later in the summer; on pedigree he looks like he will be better suited to 1m2f.

It would not seem right if there was not a Richard Hannon charge in the race, and he does not disappoint with Libranno. A duel group winner as a two year old his progress rather flattened out towards the end of the season with successive defeats. Having raced exclusively at six furlongs it remains to be seen if he is anything other than a sprinter. He is a 6/1 with Paddypower. Hannon is also represented by Casual Glimpse an 8/1 chance. Similarly, the horse’s profile flattened out as the season went on and looks a shade below this class.

Fifth in the betting is Ahlaain, at 12/1 he arrives fresh from his stint in Dubai. Highly tried, he has been placed in good company, although one win in ten suggests he isn’t out of the very top draw. Regardless he arrives in good heart and race fit.

At 50/1 the outsider in the contest is Yahafedh Alaih. A best of fourth on his two runs suggests he is only of fair ability, however he did run very green last time out and should improve for the experience. His sire is Haafhd, so on breeding alone this looks like a logical race to contest.