EXPERIENCE COULD COUNT IN NELL GWYN

The two day Craven meeting at Newmarket always injects flat racing into people's consciences that little bit more, signifying that the Classics are not that far away. Day One's highlight is the Nell Gwyn, where it appears to be a battle between those that have strong two year-old form versus more unexposed types who have the potential to be anything. For me, it's the ones with plenty of experience that should be backed.

OSAILA and MURAAQABA both look to have big chances in this race. They have strong two year old form, with Osaila winning a G3 plus coming a length fifth in the Moyglare and third in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf whilst Muraaqaba won the Sweet Solera and came second in the May Hill. That form looks fairly strong and are much preferred to the once-raced duo of Lady Correspondent and Beautiful Romance. John Gosden's filly will have to step up markedly on her debut win over course and distance and being by War Front would be a slight worry given his progeny have often struggled to progress at 3. Saeed Bin Suroor's filly was extremely impressive when winning at Doncaster but that was over a mile and she did her best work towards the finish, suggesting that seven furlongs may be a little sharp for her. She'll definitely want further in time, middle distances no doubt.

Osaila (maroon cap) and Muraaqaba (blue and white striped cap)

Marsh Hawk's two wins have come with cut in the ground so firm ground is definitely a worry whilst New Providence may be better propositions at six furlongs than seven. They're speedily bred and they've shown themselves to be at their best at that distance. Although Terror has only ran at six, she's by Kodiac so you'd think she wouldn't want much more. Plus, there's a danger that she too may be better at two years old than three, given her sire is known for breeding precocious, albeit talented two year olds.


ALGAITH is chosen for the Feilden (4:40). He notched up two all-weather wins in October, doing so nicely. The choice of Paul Hanagan in this, the ground should be no problem and he may well prove to be overpriced. Festive Fare is the danger in my opinion.

Faydhan will run away with the 3:30 if he's half as good as John Gosden makes him out to be. However, at 4/9, he's definitely worth opposing. He's by War Front (see above) so that could be deemed a slight worry and isn't up against slouches here. HOME OF THE BRAVE won his maiden on the July Course very easily before going off a hot favourite in Sirenia Stakes at Kempton. He could only manage third that day but trainer Hugo Palmer says he's improved plenty and should capitalise if the favourite fails to fire. GLENALMOND ran well in the Gimcrack before a flat run in the Champagne, although an injury was to blame for that. Could run nicely at a price.

BOSSY GUEST showed some good form in the Tattersalls Sprint races last year and he has a good chance in this (2:55). He has form over Heartbreak Hero, who re-opposes today whilst favourite The Warrior looks short based solely on what he's done so far.

And for the maidens, the opener (1:45) could go to recent Wolverhampton second HAKAM, who ran a top race that day, pushing a more experienced horse all the way to the line. Don't ignore newcomer GOSSIPING either, who's a half brother to Ibn Khaldun. In the 5:10, GREAT GLEN could build on his debut. He's taken to go well along with newcomer JOSEPH JEFFERSON, who a half brother to Alice Alleyne and Avenue Gabriel.


I'll be live tweeting from Cheltenham as I'll be in attendance tomorrow, watching Newmarket on the big screen with a bit of luck!


Enjoy the sun (whilst it lasts)

Happy Punting!