The Flat season in Britain gets going with the Craven meeting at Newmarket, and the sense that the serious action is upon us is hard to escape.
Talk Of New York’s Classic Aspirations
Talk Of New York was heavily supported for the first Classic of the season at Newmarket before his second start in the Jumeirah 2,000 Guineas at Meydan in late February. Despite finishing third that day, he has moved back towards the top of the ante-post lists following other contenders being ruled out.
Charlie Appleby has elected to give Talk Of New York more racing experience in the 7f conditions stakes (2.25) rather than a racecourse gallop.
Talk Of New York, at a best-priced 6-1 for the Betfred 2,000 Guineas, will need to account for four rivals without being fully extended to make serious inroads into Bow Echo as favourite. Stablemate Maximized and the Richard Hannon-trained Lost Signal are both required to concede 3lb as two-time winners.
Debut for Big Snoopy
Big Evs and Big Mojo have taken Paul and Rachael Teasdale on a tour of the world in recent seasons. There must be a few nerves jangling at the prospect of the regally bred Big Snoopy making his debut in the opening 7f maiden (1.15).
A 300,000gns purchase and by leading sire Siyouni out of the French 1,000 Guineas winner Teppal, Big Snoopy was just the fourth yearling through the ring at Tattersalls Book 1 in October 2024.
Charlie Appleby fields a well-bred newcomer of his own in Cerro Blanco, while Jane Chapple-Hyam and Peter Harris secured Makerstoun for €500,000 at Arqana.
Handicap Prize on Offer
The biggest prize of the day is the £30,000 on offer for the 5f handicap (3.35). Punters must decide whether to side with race-fitness from the all-weather or classier turf form posted last autumn.
Rosario and Jakajaro head the weights and finished third and fifth in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting last September, and both are making their reappearances.
The Newmarket card provides a start before two major Classic trials later in the week.