15:35 Newmarket

Thursday 15 April 2021

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

bet365 Craven Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 1m 38.79s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Akmaam¹⁸⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: B J Meehan| OR: 100

15/2

Impressive winner of 7f novice on debut at Ascot in September. Not disgraced in C&D Autumn Stakes the following month, but will need to have improved during the winter if he's to play a leading role.

Form: 15-

(1)

Devilwala¹⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 113

15/2

Twice acquitted himself well in Group company last term, including when fourth in the Dewhurst here in October. Subsequent Breeders' Cup effort can be excused and he's a live each-way contender.

Form: 12748-

(10)

Imperial Sands¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 99| D

16/1

Easy all-the way debut winner at Kempton (1m) and split a couple of decent types in minor event over the same C&D 10 days ago. Much more on his plate now switched to turf, but he's clearly promising.

Form: 12

(5)

Khartoum¹⁸⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 92

9/1

Built on plentiful debut promise when landing a 14-runner maiden at the Curragh (7f, soft) in October. Significantly up in class here, but represents top connections and he's a nice prospect.

Form: 31-

(2)

La Barrosa¹⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 104| C

4/1

Bright start to his career last season, winner of an Ascot maiden and a Group 3 here in September. Heavy ground almost certainly to blame for latest defeat in France and he remains with potential.

Form: 115-

(3)

Master Of The Seas^h1⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 112

11/4

Winner of 2 of his 3 starts at 2 yrs, including the Superlative Stakes on the July Course here. Odds-on reverse at Meydan in February best excused and he's the one to beat. Hood enlisted.

Form: 114-2

(6)

Mystery Smiles²²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 102| BF

22/1

Did little wrong as a 2-y-o, scoring at Windsor and Chester prior to creditable placed efforts in Group company. Shapes as though this stiffer test will suit, but he's likely to find a few too good.

Form: 1133-

(9)

Royal Air Force²⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S & E Crisford

14/1

Impressive winner of 3-runner Yarmouth novice (7f, good to firm) on sole 2-y-o start, despite looking green. This represents a steep rise in class, but he's certainly not short of potential.

Form: 1-

(7)

Sandhurst¹⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 98

9/1

Stepped up on debut promise when landing a minor event at Gowran (7f, heavy) in October. Open to plenty of improvement and needs a second look, for all that Ryan Moore prefers Khartoum.

Form: 31-

(8)

The Rosstafarian¹⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: H Palmer| OR: 97| BF| D

12/1

Stylish winner of a soft-ground Salisbury novice on debut in October and close third in listed company at Pontefract (1m, heavy) next time. Sizeable step forward needed if he's to emerge on top here.

Form: 13-

Forecasts

Master Of The Seas (11/4), La Barrosa (4/1), Devilwala (15/2), Akmaam (15/2), Sandhurst (9/1), Khartoum (9/1), The Rosstafarian (12/1), Royal Air Force (14/1), Imperial Sands (16/1), Mystery Smiles (22/1)

LA BARROSA has been passed over by William Buick in favour of Master of The Seas, but he arguably possesses the greater potential and a line can be drawn through his latest run in France on account of the testing conditions. Aidan O'Brien's duo Khartoum and Sandhurst are intriguing contenders, while Devilwala needs considering and Royal Air Force is an unknown quantity.