Thursday, Newmarket, post time: 15:35, BETWAY CRAVEN STAKES-G3, £95,000, 3yo, Open, 8f 0y
Field: Avicenna (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), Commander's Intent (Fr) (Victor Ludorum {GB}), Hankelow (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Hawk Mountain (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Hidden Force (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Oxagon (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), Venetian Prince (GB) (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}).
TDN Analysis: Ahead of one of the most head-scratcher 2,000 Guineas for some time, a fascinating Craven where nothing can be safely ruled out and which has surprisingly attracted a Group 1 winner in Hawk Mountain. While it is the Prix du Jockey Club that Aidan O'Brien is talking about for last year's Futurity Trophy winner, the fact that he is here for the chief 2,000 Guineas trial and is still entered in the course-and-distance Classic does add a twist to proceedings. With Albert Einstein potentially off the radar after Saturday and Gstaad and Puerto Rico yet to be committed, surely a win for Hawk Mountain here would see him come back in just over a fortnight? If Ballydoyle's 2,000 Guineas picture is cloudy, Charlie Appleby also has a large cast still in contention with probably only a hunch at best as to which one is best. Hidden Force, who has gone the now-established Kempton route, is the one chosen to tackle this rather than smaller fare or a racecourse gallop and he offers an entirely different profile to the Ballydoyle raider. Avicenna beat Hankelow at Doncaster last year and is similarly unexposed, so a big performance from him would see him jump into the Guineas picture. [Tom Frary].
Thursday, Newmarket #41602, post time: 15:00, THE ZYN ABERNANT S.-G3, £95,000, 3yo/up, 6f 0y
Field: Aramram (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Completely Random (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), Crestofdistinction (GB) (Kodiac {GB}), Diligent Harry (GB) (Due Diligence), Elmonjed (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}), Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), My Mate Alfie (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Prince Of India (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Quinault (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), Run To Freedom (GB) (Muhaarar {GB}), Washington Heights (GB) (Washington DC {Ire}), Time For Sandals (Ire) (Sands Of Mali {Fr}), Beckford's Folly (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Aspect Island (GB) (Showcasing {GB}).
TDN Analysis: This isn't generally a race for three-year-olds for obvious reasons, so it is significant that Charlie Appleby throws the Cornwallis winner Beckford's Folly into the mix. Heading the older cast is last year's surprise Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals, who brings a class edge on that form, while William Haggas saddles Shadwell's Listed scorer Elmonjed who could still be improving. [Tom Frary].
Friday, Saint-Cloud, France, post time: 16:55, HENRI MATISSE COOLMORE PRIX CLEOPATRE-G3, €73,200, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT
Field: Gilded Prize (GB) (Frankel {GB}), Takerya (Fr) (Ectot {GB}), Blanche De Medicis (Ire) (Waldgeist {GB}), Arkansas (Fr) (Sottsass {Fr}), Warriors Whisper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Turbulente (Ire) (Australia {GB}).
TDN Analysis: Francis Graffard has yet to win this contest and sends forth Juddmonte's undefeated Gilded Prize in this stepping stone to June's G1 Prix de Diane. Andre Fabre has a record 13 renewals already in the books and is represented here by Blanche De Medicis, who finished adrift of both Gilded Prize and Christopher Head trainee Turbulente at Chantilly last month. Last month's Listed Prix Rose de Mai first and third Arkansas and Warriors Whisper are the only contenders with black-type form, while maiden winner Takerya completes the six-strong line-up. [Sean Cronin].
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