17:35 That's it from a still dreak Newmarket the next meeting here, in a couple of weeks time, is the Guineas meeting.
Have any classic winners been seen here over the last two days? Well some bookmakers think so, only time will tell.
Our next coverage sees us reverting to national hunt where we will be at Ayr on Saturday for the Scottish National - until then good afternoon.
17:33 Well what a way to finish the afternoon as we were treated to another thrilling finish in our longest race of the day a 1m 2f handicap.
Mark Johnston’s Perpetually was very well backed 13/2 into 4/1 and delivered the goods in a great battle with the favourite, Imposing, just getting up on the line in a bobbing finish.
Legislate set the pace with Perpetually and Muraweg both up with the pace and the favourite settled mid-division by Ryan Moore, riding for Sir Michael Stoute.
Coming out of the dip it was effectively a three horse race with Legislate still in front but both Perpetually and Imposing challenging.
It soon came down to a two runner contest and it could have gone either way in the final stages.
17:00 Our seven furlong fillies’ stakes provided the closest finish of the afternoon, so close even judge Dave Smith had to call a photograph.
In the end Resort, under Ryan Moore, was given the verdict by a nose from the favourite Balaagha, who would have run given another stride.
The pair ran contrasting races Resort was with the pace throughout, sharing the running with Casting Couch. The favourite, by contrast, was settled near the rear by Richard Hills before coming with a late run.
Spring Approach was another one coming on late and she came home third, 2½ lengths behind the principals.
16:23 Well the Earl of Sefton Stakes, over 1m 1f threw up something of a surprise with the odds-on favourite Twice Over only finish third and never ever looking like winning.
The rank outsider Nomoretaxes set the early pace, leading until half way, at which point the John Gosden trained Tazeez came through to take up the running, soon having a couple of lengths on his rivals.
At this point Tom Queally tried to bring the favourite with a run and although closing to within a couple of lengths, was never a threat to the leader.
Steele Tango also ran-on late and soon passed the favourite but did not have enough in the locker to trouble Tazeez, who came home an easy 3½ lengths in front under a good Richard Hills ride.
15:55 Ladbrokes are still going 6/1 against Delegator for the Guineas - clearly like most of us in the press room not that impressed with the manner of victory.
15:53 Well the Craven Stakes went to the favourite although the manner of victory was more workmanlike than impressive. Having said that this was his seasonal debut and he has every right to improve for the run.
Also Sans Frontieres taking second place doesn’t exactly frank the form.
Alyarf, Pure Poetry and Sans Frontieres set the pace, whist Jamie Spencer was happy to settle the favourite in rear.
At the bushes Alyarf had the advantage over Sans Frontieres with Close Alliance making some ground.
As they came out of the dip Spencer asked Delegator for his effort and he soon passed all his rivals to take up the running inside the final furlong. Sans Frontieres held on for second, 2¾ lengths behind the winner whilst a resurgent Pure Poetry almost regained the runners-up spot.
Stan James and Paddy Power have cut the winner to 9/2 for the 2000 Guineas, whilst William Hill are as short as 7/2 and Coral split the difference at 4/1.
15:30 Our feature race is the Craven Stakes, a decent Guineas trial.
City Style dropping out takes something of a gloss off the race.
Delegator looks pretty good and is a worthy favourite for this contest.
A couple of them were starting to sweat a bit in the muggy conditions – Close Alliance between his legs and Imperial Guest and Sans Frontieres around the mouth.
Pure Poetry looks pretty small compared to his rivals.
15:15 Our first listed contest of the afternoon a six furlong sprint and the sort of contest where you ignore Dandy Nicholls at your peril.
Two runners dominated the contest – the favourite Equiano and Nicholls Tax Free and these two were neck and neck, three lengths clear of their rivals for most of the contest.
Coming out of the dip, however it was Tax Free, ridden by Frannie Norton, who managed to get first run on his rivals and although the favourite rallied, Tax Free held on to claim the spoils by half a legth.
Knot In Wood who was in the tracking group ran on to claim third spot, and a similar story applied to Explanation.
Orpsie Boy ran on well in the latter stages to take sixth.
14:36 A very interesting race and some pointers for the future.
Crown, who was sent off the favourite, was certainly meeting a better class of opponent today than she faced at Bath 13 days ago – and it showed.
With the pace in the early stages she was soon outclassed when the race proper began two out.
Ed Dunlop’s Habaayib was the first to come with an impressive run, towards the far side.
Outsider Mijas Playa, who one would have expected to drop out of contention actually stood her ground well and even headed the Dunlop runner to claim second place.
Most impressive of all, however, was Alan Bailey’s Its Alright. Settled almost last in the early stage, she was launched with an impressive late run to take the contest by 1½ lengths.
Starburst Excel who shared the early pace held on for fourth.
14:18 Interestingly the two with experience Crown (5/2) and Usquabach (66/1) are top and bottom of the betting.
Also a couple more non-runners on account of the ground.
14:16 A five furlong maiden fillies’ stakes over 5 furlongs for our second contest and it has to be said not as an impressive looking field as our opener.
A couple Six Wives and Starburst Excel were still in their winter coat and most of them, as in the first, have potential to grow. There are some very small fillies in this field and there is no real stand-out in the parade ring.
14:04 A tricky race with no form to go on the opening Wood Ditton Stakes over a mile was an interesting contest and the betting turned out to be a very reliable guide.
John Gosden’s Militarist was sent off the favourite and justified such support although it was close at the end and a mile may well be the limit of his stamina.
Always to the fore Jimmy Fortune settled the favourite alongside the front running Dolores Ortiz, tracked by Ottoman Empire and Beauchamp Xerxes.
Once at the dip the favourite had a clear lead up front and it was two running on rivals Big Bay and, more impressively Harbinger, who emerged as serious challengers, the latter may well have won had the race been 50 yards further.
Plenty of these will com on for their debut runs and for me the most impressive was the runner-up Harbinger.
Errol Flynn, already gelded, was a terrible disappointment, always behind and looking as though he wanted to be anywhere other than here. Lord Fidelio is another who looked like a fish out of water.
13:47 Ten newcomers in our opener and from paddock inspection they all have scope to improve.
John Gosden’s Militarist is being very well backed.
13:10 40 minutes to our opening contest and we can just about see the 5f marker from the Grandstand - what a shame the first contest is over a mile?
12:46 Good afternoon from a very murky Newmarket Heath, shrouded in mist, should make viewing the racing interesting.
We have a few more non-runners, details on the right.
09:55 The going at Newmarket is Good To Firm and we currently have three non-runners.
Our selections for this afternoon are as follows:-
01:50 |
7 |
Militarist |
02:25 |
2 |
Crown |
03:00 |
4 |
Equiano |
03:35 |
7 |
Pure Poetry |
04:10 |
8 |
Twice Over |
04:45 |
2 |
Balaagha |
05:20 |
5 |
Perpetually |
Return to race archive |
Non-Runners
1:50
9 Reportage (going)
10 Best Shot (going)
3:00
10 Redford (going)
14 Angus Newz (going)
3:35
2 City Style (bad scope - VC)
4:10
1 Bushman (going)
3 Lady Deauville (going)
9 Virtual (going)
4:45
9 Yurning Top (going)
Results
1:50 Wood Ditton Stakes 1m
1st 7 Militarist 11/8 fav
2nd 4 Harbinger 3/1
3rd 2 Big Bay 14/1
10
Ran Nr's 9 & 10
Distances ¾ & short head
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.10
Places £1.10 £1.60 £3.80
Exacta £5.70
CSF £5.22
Time 1' 41.39"
2:25 Maiden Filllies' Stakes 5f
1st 4 Its Alright 7/1
2nd 6 Mijas Playa 33/1
3rd 3 Habbbyib 9/2
11 Ran
Distances 1½ & 1¾
Fav 2 Crown 3/1 (Upl)
Tote
Win £8.50
Places £2.00 £7.80 £2.00
Exacta £279.30
CSF £216.71
Time 59.72"
3:00 Abernaut Stakes (Listed) 6f
1st 12 Tax Free 8/1
2nd 4 Equiano 3/1 fav
3rd 6 Knot In Wood 8/1
12 Ran Nr's 10 & 14
Distances ½ & 1
Fav second
Tote
Win £7.90
Places £2.60 £1.70 £2.40
Exacta £32.70
CSF £31.81
Time 1' 10.3"
3:35 Craven Stakes 1m
1st 4 Delegator 4/6 fav
2nd 8 Sans Frontieres 12/1
7 Ran Nr 2
Distance 2¾
Fav winner
Tote
Win £1.60
Places £1.30 £2.80
Exacta £9.00
CSF £9.73
Time 1' 36.56"
4:10 Earl Of Sefton Stakes 1m 1f
1st 7 Tazeez 9/4
2nd 6 Steele Tango 12/1
7 Ran Nr's 1, 3 & 9
Distance 3½
Fav 8 Twice Over 4/6 (3rd)
Tote
Win £3.10
Places £1.70 £4.30
Exacta £29.30
CSF £27.63
Time 1' 47.83"
4:45 Maiden Fillies' Stakes 7f
1st 6 Resort 9/4
2nd 2 Balaagha 5/4 fav
3rd 8 Spring Adventure 7/1
9 Ran Nr 9
Distances Nose & 2½
Fav second
Tote
Win £3.10
Places £1.60 £1.20 £2.20
Exacta £6.30
CSF £5.71
Time 1' 25.77"
5:20 Handicap 1m 2f
1st 5 Perpetually 4/1
2nd 3 Imposing 15/8 fav
3rd 7 Legislate 15/2
12 Ran
Distances short head & 1¼
Fav second
Tote
Win £5.00
Places £2.30 £1.60 £2.20
Exacta £11.80
CSF £12.49
Tricast £56.84
Time 2' 02.69"
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