Newmarket Craven Meeting - Craven Stakes

4.10

Breeze Up Vendors Craven Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £28,385

Pick: Native Khan (win)

Libranno: Looked useful when winning what turned out to be an excellent maiden on the Newmarket July Course and went onto win July and Richmond Stakes, making all in gutsy fashion on both occasions; Those tactics failed in Morny and Mill Reef Stakes and has to be question of stamina here under penalty.

Ahlaain: Carried over largely progressive form from last season when second in pair of Listed contests at Meydan this year, but limitations exposed when seventh in UAE Derby and has it all to do here.

Casual Glimpse: Won twice in promising but troubled two year old campaign, highlight when winning excellent conditions contest here; Excues on other occasions (ground on final start here, hated track at Epsom) but needs to step up and another who has to prove his liking for the trip.

Native Khan: Made deep impression when winning maiden and Solario Stakes in taking style,  and bettered that form in defeat when fourth in Racing Post Trophy; Has every chance of making up into a class colt this year and should start here.

Yahafedh Alaih: Took natural step forward when fourth of nine in Lingfield AW maiden last month; This likely to be way too tough.

Yasser: Made encouraging debut when chasing home Derby hope Carlton House at Newbury in October, before readily landing odds at Kempton on AW (odds-on); Clearly going to improve a lot as a 3 year old (bred to do so; Entered in 2,000 Gns, Dante, Derby and Irish Champion Stakes) and could run a big race here.

VERDICT: With form rivals Libranno & Casual Glimpse having to prove their well – being and stamina, NATIVE KHAN is the clear choice to start his classic season as expected. Yasser, every inch a three year old, may give him most to do.