2012 Craven Stakes Betting Tips

 The first big Grade 3 contest of the flat season is set to unfold on Thursday as the 2012 Craven Stakes at Newmarket finally kicks off. The contest has attracted a 13-strong field of talented three-year-old contenders, all going off at an 8-12 weight.

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Obviously the leading fancy in this one is going to be Most Improved with Kieren Fallon in the irons. Brian Meehan's 115-rated colt ran a credible third in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes to Parish Hall, missing out by less than a length after coming out of the gate at a 6/1 price. Prior to that he broke his maiden at Newmarket when heavily-favoured at 4/5.

You can expect connections to have moved him away him his previous front-running trips and he might race from off the pace this time – showing some more maturity in his three-year-old year.

As it currently stands, punters can jump aboard Most Improved at a slim price of 5/4 with most major bookmakers.

Trumpet Major has a few more races under his belt than many of the others here and he finished fifth in the Dewhurst last year with Johnny Murtagh in the irons. This time he switches over to Ryan Moore, who had only been on him once before. Look for the son of Arakan to improve a bit this year but he will need to show a much more decisive turn of foot.

You'll find Trumpet Major floating at 8/1.

Crius took the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall's Stakes at Newmarket last year and has never finished out side of the exacta. Ending his season on such a high note bodes well for this one and you can expect him to let the leaders take the early going and then make a move about halfway through the race.

Eastern Sun has been out already this year and scored on his seasonal debut. He came out of the gate as a 3/1 joint-favourite in a conditions race at Kempton.

Godolphin are represented by Mighty Ambition, who scored at maiden level last September against a strong-looking field of fifteen at Newbury.