2011 Craven Meeting at Newmarket Thursday Preview Part Two

4:10

This Group 3 contest has a small field of colts and geldings going 1m on the grass. Native Khan (Azamour) is getting plenty of attention ahead of this one as the entire colts in this race will likely have their eyes fixed on the Guineas if they can take a result in this one. The Ed Dunlop-trained grey captured a Group 3 last year before running 4/10 in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy in his seasonal bow. A series of sharp recent works and some fast ground lend credibility to his claims but he might go off at a relatively short price. Libranno (Librettist) looks to be the chief competition here and he goes off as the high-weight. He won a Group 2 last year and switches back to Ryan Moore.

4:45

Another Group 3 contest is up next and this one goes 1m1f with a number of in-form contenders ready to contest this one. Henry Cecil’s Jet Away (Cape Cross) is doubtful for this one so it really could wind up being a battle between Forte Dei Marmi (Selkirk) and John Dunlop’s Elusive Pimpernel (Elusive Quality). He’s done well in his five-race career, finishing fifth in last year’s Guineas and has been laid-off since. Prior to that run he captured a Group 3 in a prep race while finishing second to St Nicholas Abbey (Montjeu) in the 2009 Racing Post Trophy. You wonder how he navigates the long lay-off, however. Polytechnicien (Royal Academy) has taken a pair of contests in France and ships over fresh off a Group 3 score at Saint-Cloud. If you can get a good price on him, I can’t begrudge you the bet.

5:20

We shift back towards the lower-profile contests towards the end of the card with a 7f race for maiden fillies. Flashbang (Dubawi) wasn’t far off last time when finishing 3^rd in a career-debut at Pontefract. She gets an extra panel to deal with here and could be able to capitalize. If she can assert herself just a bit more then she’ll be dangerous. Look for Sir Michael Stoute’s Elraabeya (Seeking The Gold) as a possible challenger.

5:50

The nightcap is a 1m2f handicap for three year-olds rated under 95. Amwell Patriot (Dubawi) must navigate a significant weight penalty so you can expect Labarino (Dansili) to get some real respect as he turns out for the Juddmonte team. He’ll be looking to get on the early lead and attempt to dictate the pace. Art History (Dalakhani) just scored in a handicap contest at Beverley and could be set to progress here if the race shapes up for him. He has managed to attract Frankie and that’s a definite vote of confidence.