Architect Tips picks the winner from the seven runners in the Craven Stakes.
15:35 Thursday
The main attraction on the card at Newmarket on Thursday is the bet365 Craven Stakes, held at 15:35.
Here is a betting guide to each of the seven runners from Architect Tips, along with his tips and predictions for the race.
Craven Stakes Runners Guide
1. Alcantor
- Trainer: Andre Fabre
- Form: 13112
- Odds: 3/1
It’s not often that Andre Fabre targets this race, but when he does it’s worth noting. This three-year-old son of New Bay endured a busy campaign at two, in which he competed five times and won three of them.
He was an impressive winner of a Group 3 race on softish ground at Saint-Cloud before he finished a half-length second to Sunway in the Group 1 Criterium International over the same course and distance. The form isn’t strong, but the French raider should be thereabouts if he’s able to translate what he’s shown to date over in the UK.
2. Cambridge
- Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
- Form: 312
- Odds: 8/1
This well-bred son of Dubawi was no match for his stablemate, Grosvenor Square, in a Group 3 contest at Leopardstown when last spotted, and just about scrambled home at Salisbury the time before that.
He could only finish third on his debut at Roscommon as well, so although he represents a top-class stable, he has plenty to find with the main principles. He is likely capable of better, but he might have to settle for minor honours and can be passed over.
3. Champagne Prince
- Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam
- Form: 11
- Odds: 25/1
This grey son of Lope De Vega is one of two representatives for Jane Chapple-Hyam. He is unbeaten in two starts, and while the form of each success is well down the pecking order, he’s been impressive.
He cruised to victory by four and a half lengths on his debut at Chelmsford before justifying short odds when again strong at the finish at Newcastle. In spite of needing a chunk of improvement, it would come as no surprise to see him outrun his odds.
4. Eben Shaddad
- Trainer: John & Thady Gosden
- Form: 133
- Odds: 4/1
Given all of his achievements, trainer John Gosden has still never trained the winner of the 2000 Guineas (ante-post pick for Steve Ryder here), but he could be a major player if this Calyx colt can succeed here.
An impressive winner on his debut at Newmarket on the July course in August, he then finished third in both the Tattersalls Stakes and the Group 1 Dewhurst here in the autumn.
The step-up in trip is an unknown, but he’s joint top-rated in the field, ticks plenty of the main trends, and should give a very good account of himself.
5. Haatem
- Trainer: Richard Hannon
- Form: 521955
- Odds: 16/1
Last season, this three-year-old was kept busy as a two-year-old, in which he raced a total of nine times and had the fortune of winning the Group 2 Vintage Stakes. He was unfortunate to bump into the top-class City of Troy on a couple of occasions.
However, he was four lengths behind Eben Shaddad last time out and looks exposed, so I’m not sure where he can find more improvement. He is the most exposed runner in the line-up and is difficult to fancy.
6. Native Approach
- Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- Form: 21
- Odds: 9/4
Charlie Appleby has an excellent record in this race, having saddled three of the last five winners of the race, so this son of Too Darn Hot will prove very popular. He was touched off by just half a length when second on his debut at Kempton prior to making no mistake next time out.
He has the potential to raise his game, but on balance, others have achieved more. It’s dangerous to rule him out, but he will do well to overcome a strong field such as this on his turf debut.
7. Sons And Lovers
- Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam
- Form: 1
- Odds: 20/1
The second of two runners from the Jane Chapple-Hyam team. He was unfancied on his debut at this course in October, but overcame inexperience and greenness to get the job done at massive odds.
This will require a jolt of improvement, but he has the course form, and his debut win has been advertised since, with a host of horses he has in behind emerging as winners since. Luke Morris has been booked to ride. Interestingly, he’s priced up at the same odds as Eben Shaddad for the 2000 Guineas.
Craven Stakes Tips & Prediction
This isn’t the strongest Craven Stakes, but it certainly is a fascinating international line-up with the representation of France, Ireland, and England.
At a wild price, I’m going to nominate SONS AND LOVERS (best price 20/1) as the bet in the race, who I thought did very well to overcome an unfavourable track position to make a winning debut over seven furlongs at this course in October.
That form isn’t good enough to win this, but he won the race in the manner of a serious prospect, and he’s been saved for this race ever since. I loved the way he charged home once he hit full turbo to pass all of his rivals, and this extra furlong will play to his strengths.
He has a lovely attitude, possesses a turn of foot, and has plenty more to come. He could have been found an easier opportunity elsewhere, so he’s clearly held in high esteem, hence why he holds an entry in the 2000 Guineas and the Epsom Derby.
Mathematically, the odds between himself and Eben Shaddad seem too big here, based on the fact that the pair have the exact same odds for the 2000 Guineas. This is obviously a huge step up in grade, but he’s worth his place in the line-up and represents value.
Sons And Lovers, 0.5 pts E/W, 16/1
EBEN SHADDAD (best price 4/1) won on the July course on his debut before making the frame in both the Tattersalls and Dewhurst Stakes and that latest effort behind City Of Troy in that Group 1 race last time out was excellent.
This is a drop-down in class and he has more to come, so he’s my win bet in the race. He should be a clear favourite.
