Newmarket Craven Meeting - Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes

3.35 Newmarket

Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes (Listed) (Class 1)  (3YO plus)

Winner £17,031

Pick: Society Rock (win)

Jimmy Styles: Won 6f Listed race at Doncaster this month with four of these behind last month; Needs to do more to make an significant impact here but will be fitter than many here.

Brave Prospector: Useful enough sprinter; Out four tries this season, best effort  when third to Jimmy Styles last time, having travelled well; Has it all to do in better race.

Doncaster Rover: Well behind Jimmy Styles when first run back from stint in Dubai, having been well beaten on both runs there; Well beaten in series of top races last season and has a lot of work to do to be making an impact here.

Genki: Smart handicapper/group horse who held himself up with namely when third in Betfair Sprint Cup and also winning his group in Wokingham; Goes well enough fresh and easily capable of making an impact here.

Himalaya: Like Genki for the same connections, bordering on group class but bale to run big races in handicaps, although he seems to be more comfortable with Group races; Can make a claim here too.

Inler: Gambled on and duly delivered on debut here when making all to win by four lengths here October 2009; Not reached same form since but still potential to improve and could make bold show.

Iver Bridge Lad: Close enough second to Jimmy Styles in big sprint at Doncaster and done well in picking up minor events recently either side of that; Should run well without winning this today.

Poet’s Place: Landed gable when coming late and hard to win Portland handicap off 96; Well beaten in two handicaps since but has potential to make up into group class horse this year; This tough comeback.

Prime Defender: Good form when fifth in Maurice De Gheest, before even better effort in Nunthorpe (fourth) last year; Disappointing comeback and needs more to get involved here.

Society Rock: Impressive winner of 6f Ascot Listed event on reappearance last year; Beaten when travelling like much the best in Newbury Sprint, but career – best when second in Golden Jubilee; Seventh in July Cup, not seen since but still best in field and will take the beating.

Anne Of Kiev: Strong traveller; Overcame trouble (Not much room and shuffled to rear soon after start) to win 5f Lingfield events and may still be improving but this significantly harder, back on turf.

Bounty Box: Formerly smart handicapper who seemed a little behind best of her own sex, not just open company; Respectable performances when unable to match strides with Lady Of The Desert.

Dinkum Diamond: Comfortable success in maiden was greatly improved on when winning listed race in nice style at Sandown; Came up short in Norfolk although he wasn’t at best that day (had sore joints afterwards);Respectable runs in Nunthorpe, Flying Childers & Cornwallis and has potential, for all he will need to improve as a three year old.

VERDICT: SOCIETY ROCK won on his seasonal debut last year and holds the strongest form courtesy of his second in the Golden Jubilee at Ascot and can go well here. Genki and Himalaya are most feared.