Craven Stakes Runners Confirmed With Godolphin Runners Dominating A Field Of 8

The 2023 Craven Stakes runners have been locked in with eight runners heading to post for the Thursday feature at the Newmarket Craven Meeting. 

Godolphin Dominate The Betting With First Two In The Market

Eight horses have been confirmed to run in Thursday’s Group Three Craven Stakes at Newmarket, with Godolphin looking to hold all the aces with the first two in the betting – Mysterious Night and Naval Power.

Jockey William Buick has won three of the last four runnings of the Craven Stakes and of the two Godolphin runners he’s picked to ride Mysterious Night, which punters are sure to latch onto.

This 3 year-old is already @ 16/1 for the 2000 Guineas, so a win on Thursday will see this odds shorten further. The globetrotting Dark Angel colt has won his last two races in France and Canada – and will head into the Craven Stakes back on home soil having won 50% of his six career outings.

Naval Power Has Strong Claims Too

The other big hope for the ‘boys in blue’ of Godolphin is Naval Power and the best UK horse racing betting sites are finding it hard to split the pair. This 3 year-old is rated 110 (the same as Mysterious Night) and will be the mount of James Doyle.

However, it’s worth pointing out that William Buick has ridden this Charlie Appleby-trained colt in all his last five races, so the fact he’s chosen to ride Mysterious Night could be significant.

Naval Power was last seen winning at Meydan in Dubai at the end of January – his third success at Listed level – and will come into the race having won all bar one of his six career runs.

The main challengers trying to upset the Godolphin applecart will be Mostabshir for John Gosden, course and distance winner The Foxes and Indestructible.

DID YOU KNOW? 11 of the last 12 Craven Stakes winners came from stalls 5 or less

What Date & Time Is The 2023 Craven Stakes?

📅Time/Date: 3:35pm (Thursday 20th April 2023)
🏇Racecourse: Newmarket
💰 Purse/Winner: £45,368
📺 TV: ITV4 / Racing TV

Trainer Charlie Appleby Has Won Three Of The Last Four Craven Stakes

The other worrying factor for the horses away from Godolphin runners is that trainer Charlie Appleby has also won 3 of the last 4 runnings of the Craven.

The Newmarket-based handler also boasts a massive 31% strike-rate with his 3 year-olds at the track.

Just One Craven Stakes Winner In Recent Years Has Gone Onto Win The 2000 Guineas

The Craven Stakes is often billed as a trial for the 2000 Guineas. However, we’ve only seen one winner land both races in recent times – that was Haafhd in 2004.

That said, two horses have gone close in recent years with the 2021 Craven Stakes winner Master Of The Seas finishing a short-head second in the 2000 Guineas and 12 months ago Native Trail also picking up a silver medal in the Newmarket Classic.

Latest Craven Stakes Betting

See below the latest 2023 Craven Stakes betting odds that you can use at the best horse racing betting sites.

• Mysterious Night @ 5/2
• Naval Power @ 5/2
• Mostabshir @ 9/2
• The Foxes @ 11/2
• Indestructible @ 17/2
• Dancing Magic @ 14/1
• Ancestral Land @ 16/1
• Mr Mistoffelees @ 50/1

Note: Others on request and odds are subject to change.

Full Race Schedule at Newmarket On Thursday

• 1:50 – bet365 Handicap Cl2 (3yo 0-100) 6f ITV4
• 2:25 – bet365 Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) Cl3 (3yo) 1m ITV4
• 3:00 – Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 (3yo+) 6f ITV4
• 3:35 – bet365 Craven Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 (3yo) 1m ITV4
• 4:10 – Rossdales Maiden Fillies’ Stakes (GBB Race) Cl4 (3yo) 7f RTV
• 4:45 – bet365 British EBF ‘Confined’ Novice Stakes (For horses Which Have Run No More Than Once) (GBB Race) Cl4 (3yo) 1m2f RTV
• 5:15 – Best Odds Guaranteed At bet365 Handicap Cl4 (3yo 0-80) 7f RTV

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