bet365 Craven Stakes
Group 3, Newmarket 15:35
£80,000 guaranteed,
3yo only, 1m, Class 1   
Wednesday 13th April 2022

SureWIn

1 Native Trail 1/4F
2 Claymore 12/1
3 Hoo Ya Mal 20/1
6 ran NR: Al Mubhir Distances: 3½l, 1½l, 1¼l
Time: 1m 35.91s (fast by 0.09s)

Last year's champion two-year-old was wound up by William Buick after passing the two-furlong marker and picked up well once meeting the rising ground.

The 1/4 favourite pulled three lengths clear of Claymore in a good time with Hoo Ya Mal back in third.

Market reaction was swift with Sky Bet, Betfair and QuinnBet all cutting the winner to 6/4 from 9/4 for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas, although the latter two firms initially went 2/1.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Watching the race I was happy throughout. Even when he came under the pump, although everyone in the stands was thinking he was under pressure, we know this horse. When he won the National Stakes, he was under the pump and then Will gave him a smack he picked up and he did in the Dewhurst as well – everyone thinks he’s in trouble and then he hits the rising ground.

Trainers Quotes

“What I love about this horse is he does it all the right way round. He’s not one of those free travellers and you wonder what they’re going to find – you know when this horse gets into a battle and hits that rising ground he’s going to keep finding all the way to the line.

“I’m delighted we’ve got that run under our belt. I’m not saying there’s loads of improvement there, but his racing brain has clicked in now and we look forward to the Guineas.”

Jane Chapple-Hyam was thrilled with the performance of Claymore, who was beaten three and a half lengths – a margin the trainer believes will be tough to turn around.

She said: “We knew he was good and he’s got a lot still to learn. Today was really his first race and he still looks gawky and green. I think I’d swing that way (French Guineas). I’m not going to be able to turn that result around and I’d love to go to the French Guineas, so we’ll see.

“He was quite difficult to saddle and then he was shouting in the paddock, but it’s just immaturity – he’s still a big baby. I like him a lot and always have done.”

QuinnBet

bet365 Craven Stakes
£80,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m, Class 1
6 ran
Going: Good

POS (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (5)     Native Trail 3 9-0 Charlie Appleby William Buick 1/4F
2 (4) 3½ Claymore 3 9-0 Jane Chapple-Hyam Adam Kirby 12/1
3 (2) 1½ Hoo Ya Mal 3 9-0 Andrew Balding Marco Ghiani 20/1
4 (1) 1¼ Kingmax 3 9-0 David Loughnane Rossa Ryan 40/1
5 (6) shd Star Of India 3 9-0 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 9/1
6 (7) ½ Zechariah 3 9-0 Martyn Meade Rob Hornby 25/1
NR 1 (3) Al Mubhir 3 9-0 William Haggas NON RUNNER

Mathematician Betting