Having just been through the Cheltenham and Aintree Grand National meeting, we dip our toe into some flat turf group racing at Newmarket this week.
The Newmarket Craven Meeting is an annual horse racing event that takes place in April at Newmarket Racecourse in England. It is considered one of the most important early-season flat racing meetings in the UK, and it typically attracts a strong field of horses looking to gain a competitive edge ahead of the upcoming flat racing season.
The Craven Meeting features a number of high-profile races, including the Craven Stakes, which is considered a key trial for the 2000 Guineas, one of the most prestigious races in the British flat racing calendar. Other notable races include the Nell Gwyn Stakes, which is a trial for the 1000 Guineas, and the Abernant Stakes, which is a Group 3 sprint race.
Trading conditions
I prefer to know whether I’m in a good market or a poor one, the Craven often sits in between that! It isn’t traditionally a great meeting for me, but it’s above average for your standard flat fodder.
There’s quality there, but in terms of liquidity, it often hasn’t been delivered in the past, and as a betting heat, it doesn’t have the same importance as other nearby events. But it is better than the stuff you see on the midweek card.
I don’t expect to get anything special from the Craven meeting, but I will be active and trading it. While it’s not a mind-blowing trading opportunity, it marks another step to much higher quality racing and, of course, the start of evening racing in May.
We are rapidly heading into peak season!
