Newmarket Tips: New Century to strike for hot duo

It's the middle afternoon of three at Newmarket on Wednesday and the Group 3 Craven Stakes is the key Classic trial at Headquarters.

Racing at Newmarket on Wednesday is from 13:50-17:20, with seven contests on ground now expected to be no better than 'good to soft' following recent rain.

The Abernant Stakes and the Wood Ditton Maiden are other key races on day two at Newmarket and below are three horses to follow on Wednesday's card.

13:50 - Bob Mali @ 20/1

The opening 6f handicap on day two of the Craven Meeting is a wide open affair. The likes of Al Misbar and Defence Minister are solid contenders for top connections, while chances are also there for Cayman Tai and the returning Diligently to shine.

Given the nature of the race, having a runner onside at decent odds could be a good play and BOB MALI fits the bill.

The Sands Of Mali gelding was progressive last season, winning his first three starts from August-October at Ayr, Chester and Salisbury all over 6f and with plenty of give in the ground.

He came up short in the Group 3 Horris Hill Stakes over 7f at Newbury on his final start, but he was ridden much more prominently in that contest and perhaps paid a price for it late on with a tame finishing effort.

There could be more to come now sent handicapping and the mud was flying here on Tuesday, so conditions could be favourable having switched from Ollie Sangster to Charlie Hills over the winter.

This is an Extra Place Race, meaning that Betfred will pay 4 Places (1/5 Odds) instead of 3. T&Cs Apply.

15:00 - Apollo One @ 9/1

The Group 3 Blandford Bloodstock Abernant Stakes is also run over the 6f trip and the selection here is another horse who may relish the ease in the ground, APOLLO ONE for joint trainers Peter Charalambous and James Clutterbuck.

He has won on all sorts of ground, but it's probably safe to suggest he likes some cut underfoot most and he typically goes well fresh from a break.

Last season he ran second in a Class 2 handicap over 6f here at the Guineas Festival on his comeback and he signed off the campaign by winning at Ascot (6f, soft) in Group 3 company.

He does have a penalty to carry for his troubles, but his record after a lay-off is favourable and he can go well in a wide open race on ground that he will enjoy.

This is an Extra Place Race, meaning that Betfred will pay 3 Places (1/5 Odds) instead of 2. T&Cs Apply.

15:35 - New Century @ 6/1

Trainer Andrew Balding is in red-hot form and was amongst the winners here on day one. He saddles NEW CENTURY in the Craven Stakes and the son of Kameko is a key player.

He won the Listed Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury last summer on his third turf start and followed up at Woodbine in the Summer Stakes, before signing off with a sound fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November.

His form stacks up well and the fact he gained that experience travelling last year could stand him in good stead for a fast start to his Classic year.

He faces some good prospects in Aomori City, Opera Ballo, Field Of Gold and Wimbledon Hawkeye, but New Century can hold his own under Oisin Murphy and maybe even more than that for a trainer/jockey combo in scintillating form.

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