bet365 Craven Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 1m 35.15s

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(7)

Benbatl¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 95

4/1

Took what looked like a decent maiden apart on debut earlier in the month and the third from that race has already come out and won here earlier in the week, beating what looked like a smart field with relative ease. Holds Dante/Derby entries so step up in trip unlikely to hold any fears and he could still be anything at this stage but he will have to be top-class to take this. Engaged in Greenham Stakes Newbury, Saturday.

Form: 13

(6)

Contrapposto¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J Fortune| T: D Menuisier| OR: 92

50/1

Finished second behind Rivet in that rival's maiden win at York and landed a Nottingham on third start. Very disappointing in the Racing Post Trophy at the end of the season when finishing ninth of 10 behind Rivet again and will need to settle better if he's to have any chance of turning the form around with that rival, but looks an unlikely winner. Holds 2,000 Guineas, Dante and Derby entries.

Form: 5219-4

(4)

Eminent²¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: M Meade| OR: 87

8/1

Son of Frankel who was slowly away on debut but recovered well and ran out an easy winner over C&D. That race has produced winners but it's not the strongest form in the book and no doubt more needed. Proven on this course at least and holds 2,000 Guineas, Dante and Derby entries.

Form: 1-1

(3)

Gulliver^b,t¹⁹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 85

25/1

Appeared to have learned plenty from his first two racecourse experiences (particularly green on both occasions), when he won a decent looking maiden at York on his final start of 2016 but this is a tough ask and he will need to have taken a step forward in the off-season if he's to be a factor.

Form: 431-7

(1)

Larchmont Lad²¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 110

9/2

Improving sort who won a Group 3 over C&D at the end of last season, beating a classy field with a little in hand. Subsequent Listed and Group winners have come out of that race so the form looks rock solid and trainer has followed in his father's footsteps by winning this in 2014 and 2015 (Richard Hannon Snr won the race six times between 1990 and 2013). Likely to be primed for this and there could still be more to come so warrants the utmost respect.

Form: 131-59

(5)

Rivet¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: W J Haggas| OR: 115

11/4

Racing Post Trophy winner who had an outstanding season last year. His only real disappointment came here when finishing fifth of seven. Clearly has the best form in the book but that run here is a little off-putting and he has realistic bigger targets down the line so he's not certain to be 100% for this.

Form: 21151-2

(2)

War Decree²⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113

9/4

Runner-up here two starts back in a Group 2 contest before turning the form around with the riva that beat him and winning a Group 2 at Goodwood. Not been seen since and trainer's runners can sometimes need their seasonal reappearances, even in Group races. Holds Irish and English 2,000 Guineas entry and likely to stay the extra furlong looking at the way he finished his races. Still unexposed, so interesting to see whether he's improved for his absence.

Form: 121-6

Forecasts

War Decree (9/4), Rivet (11/4), Benbatl (4/1), Larchmont Lad (9/2), Eminent (8/1), Gulliver (25/1), Contrapposto (50/1)

Rivet sets the standard on form with his Racing Post Trophy win at the end of last season but his most disappointing run came here and he may be better suited to a flatter surface. War Decree went well here two starts back and backed that effort up with a Group 2 win at Goodwood, but O'Brien's runners can need their seasonal reappearance. The Hannon family have a fine record in this race though and LARCHMONT LAD looks capable of making it three wins from the last four renewals for his trainer. The form of his Group win here at the end of last season has worked out well and he may have improved over the winter. Benbatl made an impressive debut and shouldn't be underestimated on just his second start if he turns up here rather than the Greenham.