Racecards
14:55 Newmarket
MacAu Jockey Club Craven Stakes (Class A) (Group 3) (colts and geldings) (Class A)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good to Firm
- Form 21-1
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer G A Butler
- Jockey E Ahern
steadied start and raced keen, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 312-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Mick Kinane
led, headed after 2f, stayed prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
Flat Spin
19- Form 140-1
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey Pat Eddery
held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, driven and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 1-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
held up, headway 3f out, led 2f out, pushed out
- Form 0001-1
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
pulled hard, led after 2f, headed 2f out, weakening when bumped over 1f out
Sweet Band (USA)
258- Form 31-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer E A L Dunlop
- Jockey Richard Hughes
close up, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
A fascinating Craven Stakes with Michael Stoute's King Of Happiness putting his classic pretensions on the line having impressed many onlookers with the manner of his victory at Doncaster in August. The stable are just starting to fire and King Of Happiness comes into this race with plenty of confidence behind him. Irish raider Della Francesca let supporters down when turned over here last October but is reported to have dome well over the winter and must be respected. Sweet band is reported to have shown up well on the gallops and won nicely at Goodwood last year but with fitness on his side and at likely odds Compton Dragon from a stable in form could prove the value alternative.