Group Three Craven Stakes Newmarket Guide 2023

Mr Mistoffelees arrives at the Craven Stakes as the lowest rated runner in the field, around 20 lbs below his closest rival Ancestral Land. The three-year-old landed his first victory on the flat last time out at Kempton in December, fending off 13 runners when priced at 33/1 (a neck ahead of Tajawal).

Didn’t figure too much on his two starts prior to Kempton win and this is a lot tougher. No doubt ability to progress more but this looks a difficult ask on his first outing amongst this type of company.

101-rated sprinter for Clive Cox who arrives at Newmarket on Thursday having ran well on all three of his starts in his career so far, winning Chepstow class five after finishing second on debut at Windsor back in June last year. Third of nine in Group Three Horris Hill Stakes over 7f last time out at Newbury in October, behind Grey’s Monument and Knight before heading here for his first go at one mile.

Should have more to offer and is another runner who cannot be dismissed in this open renewal of the Craven Stakes.

Charlie Appleby sends one to the Craven Stakes in the form of three-year-old Mysterious Night. The colt has begun well on the flat so far, winning three of his six starts at Newbury, Deauville and Woodbine most recently. The step up to 1m at Woodbine proved successful (previous wins at 6f), claiming the Grade One Pattison Summer Stakes to add to class four and group three victories in the UK and France.

Should be right in the mix for the win following his impressive run of form and Appleby won this last year with Native Trail. William Buick is on board.

Andrew Balding sends The Foxes to the Craven Stakes following four career runs on the flat so far, progressing well to win back-to-back races at Goodwood and here at Newmarket, after finishing fourth and ninth on his first two starts. His last success was the most impressive, fending off Dubai Mile to win Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes over 1m and he arrives here up 20 lbs following that success.

Should be the type to make further improvement so he shouldn’t be discounted, especially as he is searching for a hat-trick.

Karl Burke sends Indestructible here as the colt makes his debut for his new yard (previously with Michael O’Callaghan). Showed some good form towards the latter end of 2022, winning at Windsor at class five level before back-to-back second-place finishes in grouped contests over 7f at York and Doncaster, behind Chaldean on both occasions.

Steps up to 1m following breathing surgery and he is an interesting runner for his new yard. Can go well again and has decent grouped experience in his career.

Roger Teal sends three-year-old Dancing Magic to Newmarket for the second time, following runs at the likes of Newbury and Doncaster. He wasn’t disgraced on his first outing in grouped company, finishing fourth in Group Three Autumn Stakes here after losing out by just over a length to Naval Power in listed Haydock event beforehand.

Not far away when fourth in Futurity Trophy at Doncaster over this trip in October last year and he should be respected for those efforts in grouped company.

John & Thady Gosden’s sole runner in this contest is their colt Mostabshir. The three-year-old has had one career start on the flat, at Kempton back in November. He bolted up that day to beat Ralph Beckett’s Davideo by four lengths, overcoming a wide draw in the process in the 14-runner event.

Should have lots more to offer and he is an exciting prospect for the Gosden’s.