Group Three Craven Stakes Guide 2022

Harry Haskell | @HarryHaskell4

Newmarket - April 12 2022
Newmarket 14:35
4(1)
Rossa Ryan

Kingmax

J: Rossa Ryan
T: David Loughnane
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 86
Days: 42

Got off the mark at the third time of asking last time out at Kempton over a mile, winning well from Two Tempting in second.

The level of form he's ran to, to date, will not be enough to get involved here however. He could be a nice horse, but massive doubts in this class.

Newmarket - April 12 2022
Newmarket 14:35
3(2)
Marco Ghiani

Hoo Ya Mal

J: Marco Ghiani
T: Andrew Balding
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 105
Days: 215

Hoo Ya Mal is 1/3, though the level he's ran too appeals more than the digits in his form. He was an encouraging third on debut, showing clear signs of ability. He then won a big field C2 maiden at York, in good style, he was well found in the market too.

He *just* failed to win the Flying Scotsman (Listed) on his third start to Noble Truth, only a nose ahead - a few more strides and Hoo Ya Mal would have collared the Appleby colt.

He's a nice progressive horse, who will likely stay further in time. Good each way chance.

Newmarket - April 12 2022
Newmarket 14:35
7(7)
Rob Hornby

Zechariah

J: Rob Hornby
T: Martyn Meade
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 103
Days: 208

An improver at 2, finishing out the frame on his first two starts but winning his last two. On his last start in September, he ran out a ready winner of a conditions race at Newbury, to Westover, and King Of Conquest, who look quite useful.

His form doesn't look up to the standard of some of these though, and he's hard to recommend.

Newmarket - April 12 2022
Newmarket 14:35
5(5)
William Buick

Native Trail

J: William Buick
T: Charlie Appleby
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 122
Days: 186

The 2021 Champion 2y/o. Short price favourite for the Guineas. Unbeaten in 4 starts, including a G2, and two G1's. On ratings, he was 7lb clear of any two year old last year, and he had won every start quite comfortably.

He looks an 8-10f horse on pedigree, and shapes as though he will get the mile with the minimum of fuss. He shouldn't have any issues from 2-3 judged on his pedigree and should improve again.

Should he lose here, it would be an enormous disappointment. 

Newmarket - April 12 2022
Newmarket 14:35
1(3)

Al Mubhir

J:
T: William Haggas
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: N/A
Days: 193

Al Mubhir is interesting, he's once raced (October) and once a winner. He has a good pedigree and the form of his win for the level looks very good.

Bare with me here, - Al Mubhir beat Filistine (John Gosden) by a comfortable length. Filistine then won a few weeks later in a novice where himself and Silent Speech, pulled 6l clear of the third.

Silent Speech is very useful and he's ran to a mark of 100 in four runs and is unlucky not to be 2/2 in Meydan this season.

The substance of Al Mubhir's form is all there, and he has a nice pedigree, he will likely need this run but he's interesting and could well be very useful.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
17/11/23SAI8Hy9-13
21/10/23ASC8Sft9-79
22/09/23NBY7Sft9-43
04/08/23GOO8Sft9-118
30/07/23PON8GS9-75
Newmarket - April 12 2022
Newmarket 14:35
2(4)
Adam Kirby

Claymore

J: Adam Kirby
T: Jane Chapple-Hyam
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: N/A
Days: 175

Another horse who's 1/1, Claymore beat Noble Order by 4l on soft ground at this course last October, and had the field well strung out.

On pedigree, he's likely to need a trip and some softer ground in the future, though he's done nothing wrong to date and is likely to train on.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
28/11/23DEA9.5St9-02
04/11/23NMK10Hy9-65
07/10/23ASC12Gd9-67
25/05/23SAN10Gd9-26
23/07/22YOR10.5GF8-134
Newmarket - April 12 2022
Newmarket 14:35
6(6)
Ryan Moore

Star Of India

J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: N/A
Days: 172

Won on his only start at 2, in the style of a nice horse, for a yard who's 2yo's tend to improve for their first racecourse appearance.

Star Of India beat Sir Antonio by a comfortable 2 and a quarter lengths over 7f on good ground in October. He has a lovely pedigree and should relish middle distance trips in the future.

Potentially well above average and he's a fascinating runner here.