EUR ON TO A WINNER WITH CHARLINE

The Craven Meeting at Newmarket has always been a favourite of mine, although my success has been extremely low in years previous. It's the first chance in England to see which 3 year olds might become Classic contenders for the season and hopefully some decent 2 year olds will be out in force as well, the sort that make at summer Festivals like Royal Ascot, Goodwood and York. There are a few horses this year that I'm quite keen on, so maybe this year I'll have a few winners.

To start with, the main race on Day 1, the Nell Gwyn. A horse who I've been following since winning a Class 4 handicap at Wolverhampton is EURO CHARLINE. I was at Wolverhampton that day and you couldn't help but be blown away by the way she obliterated the, admittedly lowly opposition, in the race. She was well fancied then, as mirrored by the betting and she lived up to her billing. I was hoping that day that I'd witnessed a decent horse and you'd like to think that her flashy entries in this race and the Irish 1000 Guineas suggest she's something special.

I am really looking forward to the race, I haven't anticipated the appearance of a horse on the flat like this for quite a while. Just hope she can do the business.

Another horse who I'm keen on is FOLK MELODY. In truth, she could be anything, but her debut win on Newmarket's July Course suggested she was smart and hopefully she can build on that run and become a decent three year old.

But in short, I like Euro Charline and really hope she make a name for herself...

Euro Charline sluicing up at Wolverhampton.

Another horse who I'm keen on and has come in for some considerable support  is TRUE STORY, in the Feilden Stakes. He made a hugely promising debut, finishing a length and a half behind Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner Outstrip and followed this up with a comprehensive victory in a decent HQ maiden, doing so from a tricky position. The step up in trip will surely suit and he looks to be one of many decent 3 year olds that Godolphin have over middle distances this season. From the others, Barley Mow rates the main danger for me, but True Story looks a good sort. Big chance.

The 2:55 sees plenty of horses who have raced in this type of race, two of whom are the market principals, Wedding Ring and TOOFI. The selection is the latter of the two, a horse who should appreciate the step back in distance and will appreciate the ground.

The final race to be analysed is the concluding race, a Class 2 handicap run over 6 furlongs. I was amazed to see EXPERT with a double figure price next to his name, he has had a prep run behind the highly touted Ertijaal at Lingfield, he ran against some very decent juveniles last year, including Toormore and (fingers crossed) True Story and having Ryan Moore is hardly detrimental to his chances. Should go very close.

Another in the race who should go well is Marco Botti's QUIET WARRIOR. He's had two starts to date, both at Kempton, the second of which being a comfortable victory. Here, he beat the 2nd place horse by four and a half lengths, so you'd like to think he could be there or thereabouts in the race.


Happy Punting!