Craven Stakes 2017

[stevecaution]

thejudge1 wrote:

Sorry thought in my excitement that benbatl finished 2nd.

Rivet ran very well.

Larchmont lad rather ran to my feeling- that the form was there, but there was something about the horse that I didn’t like.

War Decree very disappointing.

I thought Larchmont Lad just didn’t get home. If he’s Hannon’s best shot then the stable are going blank in the Guineas this year you feel.

Well done with Eminent, he looked the part today. Sadly, I backed him for the Fielden as the trainer had just been a bit doubtful for the Craven if the ground was fast.

I can’t imagine War Decree in the 2000 Guineas after that. Even allowing for needing the run that was next to zero encouragement for a Classic. I said plenty on the Guineas thread about the negative stats he had to overcome and the question of value at 16/1 for the 2000 Guineas. Some disagreed with me but the horse is 40/1 now, so I am confident I wasn’t giving anyone a bum steer regarding the War Front colt.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[stevecaution]

stilvi wrote:

With the varying degrees of fitness on display at this meeting it is hard to be certain about very much going forward.

The close proximity of the fourth (who was closing) would seem to cast doubt about the overall value of the form.

War Decree bombed. Is O’Brien in form or out of form?

I thought that when he picked up Benbatl was going to win but the surge was not maintained and it looked as if he was outstayed. His failure to settle (don’t remember that being an issue at Doncaster) cost him at least one place. On this evidence it looks as if he might be quicker than his pedigree would suggest and a drop back for something like the Jersey might be the best bet.

Saeed Bin Suroor was adamant just before the race that we would see better horse at 10F and a mile and a half in time. He wasn’t crying out for a Derby trip today.

The race is hard to weigh up. Larchmont Lad travelled well enough but seemed to weaken. Rivet gave it a go but looked to be a point and shoot grinder to some extent today, perhaps a target for quickeners to aim at late.

War Decree was beaten a long way out. As I had said back on the Guineas thread, the stats for horses who end their season as early as he did at two (July) are not good in the 2000 Guineas the following season. Is the War Front factor at work. One won the Free Handicap but that’s only listed company and the two War Front fillies in the Nell Gwyn were pretty poor.

It’s looking increasingly like Churchill will be going it alone in the 2000 Guineas.

13/8 is skinny enough for me for Churchill. Today’s winner Eminent is 10/1, which seems OK particularly when Caravaggio sits at the same odds.

Thanks for the good crack. Time for me to move on. Be lucky.

[thejudge1]

Cheers Steve mate. I’d normally follow you in but I just didn’t have a good feeling for Larchmont lad.

even blind squirrels can find a nut occasionally.

[Dex]

I’ve backed him at 10/1 after that, he handles the track, the extra furlong won’t be a problem and he doesn’t lack for pace. I’ve seen worse 10/1 shots, and on 6th May he won’t be 10/1.

[CharlesOlney]

2 from 2 on the Rowley Mile. Sired by the greatest Guineas winner of them all. Plenty of room for improvement. Very much a leading contender for the big race.

I would definitely be looking to Deauville for Rivet but no excuses, the best horse won.

Well done.

[Pontisback]

Dex, Guineas is run over the same distance as the Craven

[Nathan Hughes]

Jac, very well done, hope you took lots of photos, he is a very big good looking boy.
Well done Judge too, well played…..

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[Triptych]

Thanks Steve, steeplechasing and Nathan and to judge and everyone who backed him.
I can hardly believe he’s done this and so pleased for Martyn Meade and his yard for bringing him on so beautifully.
Since his Maiden I’ve been waiting patiently for his next run and he hasn’t disappointed..

Just setting off home now and yes Nathan I have one or two photos I’ll pop a few up later..Jac

Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...

[viktors89]

Dex wrote:

I’ve backed him at 10/1 after that, he handles the track, the extra furlong won’t be a problem and he doesn’t lack for pace. I’ve seen worse 10/1 shots, and on 6th May he won’t be 10/1.

Agreed, he’s not a 10/1 horse in my eyes for 6th May, he was tremendous today and will get better. I’ve put on some money for him too and I think he’s going to seriously challenge Churchill

[raymo61]

WELL DONE JUDGE AND JAC

He wasn’t flashy but he got the job done!!

Surely there is more to come

[The Ante-Post King]

Triptych wrote:

It’s not certain that Larchmont Lad will run in The Craven Steve he hasn’t been jocked up, I hope he does but there are several now with doubts as to whether they run in the race or not, last year only 6 ran and in 2015 when Kool Kompany won only seven turned out.
Salsabeel is running tomorrow in the 2.55 EBF Stallions (Plus 10) Conditions.

I’m sticking with my original choice EMINENT and unlike yourself I do agree with Martyn Meades decision to run him over the mile, I always hoped he would chose The Craven for this horse and expect to see him asserting down the Rowley Mile on Thursday pulling away from what is now looking a very weak field. Not too worried about the form of Martyn Meade’s yard at the moment he trains on a very small scale but has several very talented horses such as Aclaim and Irish Rookie along with Eminent now and for me there’s nothing better than seeing one of the smaller yards have the occasional triumph over the bigger boys, wish him well on Thursday.

Although he might need a little more give in the ground than he is going to get on Thursday it has to be….
EMINENT to win
Jac

Well done ‘The Ante-Post Queen’,I do love a bit of foresight and you certainly have a Group 1 horse here in Eminent Jac. x I was delighted with Rivet,I thought Frankie was very tender on him and can see a lot of improvement from both the first 2.

[Dex]

For some reason I had it in my head the Craven was run over 7f.

[Triptych]

The Ante-Post King wrote:

Triptych wrote:

It’s not certain that Larchmont Lad will run in The Craven Steve he hasn’t been jocked up, I hope he does but there are several now with doubts as to whether they run in the race or not, last year only 6 ran and in 2015 when Kool Kompany won only seven turned out.
Salsabeel is running tomorrow in the 2.55 EBF Stallions (Plus 10) Conditions.

I’m sticking with my original choice EMINENT and unlike yourself I do agree with Martyn Meades decision to run him over the mile, I always hoped he would chose The Craven for this horse and expect to see him asserting down the Rowley Mile on Thursday pulling away from what is now looking a very weak field. Not too worried about the form of Martyn Meade’s yard at the moment he trains on a very small scale but has several very talented horses such as Aclaim and Irish Rookie along with Eminent now and for me there’s nothing better than seeing one of the smaller yards have the occasional triumph over the bigger boys, wish him well on Thursday.

Although he might need a little more give in the ground than he is going to get on Thursday it has to be….
EMINENT to win
Jac

Well done ‘The Ante-Post Queen’,I do love a bit of foresight and you certainly have a Group 1 horse here in Eminent Jac. x I was delighted with Rivet,I thought Frankie was very tender on him and can see a lot of improvement from both the first 2.

Thanks Gord. Never been in doubt that this was the race for him and the Guineas is the same distance so no reason why he can’t make it 3 x wins on the course. I’m not so sure about the Derby for him just like his dad not sure how he will handle those bends, what do you think?

Rivet ran a blinder and both horses asserted over the rest of the field. After the race William Haggas came up to Eminent’s handler to say well done, thought that sporting of him as he was visibly disappointed.
Sometimes you just get a shiver down your spine when you see a horse win like Eminent did last year in his Maiden and I’ve been keeping tabs on his progress up to today, I really hope he is the one who is going to keep an unbeaten record just like his dad, who knows I wish him and Martyn Meade’s yard a lot of fun with him through the year.

Here is a picture of himself coming into the winners enclosure this afternoon, for Nathan and I have a few more that I’ll post up if I can.

Good luck with your Ante Post bets through the year Gord and thank you…Jac x

Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...

[Nathan Hughes]

Thanks Jac, a lovely looking horse and has some size about him
good photo.
Do you upload from tinypic.com….?
If so you can now use the resize Message Board 640 x 480 which works on TRF now since the change over

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[Nathan Hughes]

oooops, looks like you’ve done that…….

Also Jac, any thoughts on Tabarrak today….?

Gaelic Warrior Gold Cup Winner 2026

[Triptych]

Yes I did Nathan, just went back and made it a bit bigger and I’ll put a few more up.
Tried really hard to get you a picture of Tabarrak today but he went to post first and I
thought I’d get a chance to get a really nice shot of him going down..next time he’ll win
he ran a great race.

Eminent has really filled out since the last photo I took of him he’s even more handsome
now and was really well behaved, and he even looked my way.

In the Pre Parade Ring

In the Cooling Down Area after the race

Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...

[Triptych]

raymo61 wrote:

WELL DONE JUDGE AND JAC

He wasn’t flashy but he got the job done!!

Surely there is more to come

Thanks Raymo

Things turn out best for those who make the best of how things turn out...

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