The excitement of the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals may have quietened down as they get submitted to the books of history and the focus would switch fully to the flat as the season opening Craven meeting took place at the home of flat racing, Newmarket. The three day meeting is all about preparation for the year ahead with key trial races for the 1000 and 2000 Guineas over course and distance in just a few weeks. The Nell Gwyn and Craven Stakes may take place on the following days, but day one would be one that offered plenty of clues for the newest stars of this year. A class two conditions race for three year olds, formerly run as the Free Handicap, has been won by smart horses in recent years, while competitive handicaps and intriguing maiden events would also feature on this card. The Suffolk venue would open its doors to a host of excited followers of the flat discipline.

Race One: The Alex Scott Maiden Stakes - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - Runners:
The opening contest of Newmarket's season would look to provide a starting point for horses who could return to this course later in the year at a better level. The seven furlong contest takes place over the intermediate distance of seven furlongs and is named in honour of the high class but much missed Newmarket trainer Alex Scott. As expected for a race at head quarters, leading stables would be strongly represented in this contest. Two years ago, the younger half brother of Frankel, Kikkuli, would take his first win in this contest while last season, the race went to Godolphin's Indian Springs who has turned into a decent handicapper since his win here. 

Heading the field would be the gelding Alpine Culture. The James Owen-trained runner has just one run to his name which came at Southwell in December, but he would fade away after leading for a long way. There would be a strong mix of speed and stamina in his pedigree though. The first newcomer in the line up would be Ed Walker's colt Big Snoopy. The debutante is nicely bred out of a French 1000 Guineas winner and his trainer isn't shy of finding winnable opportunities for his newcomer. Godolphin's runners are often in good form at the start of the turf season and the all blue silks would be carried by Charlie Appleby's Cerro Blanco. The colt is out of a useful racemare and cost six figures at the yearling sales which would be positives as William Buick opted for him as his ride. Brian Meehan's horses often improve plenty for their debuts and Flor De Guerra would make his first start here. The son of Mehmas has been gelded ahead of his racecourse debut so a watching brief could be on the cards with the future in mind. Richard Hannon has made a decent start to the season already and would be represented by the colt Galba. He would make his debut at the back end of last season at Newbury where he kept on into third on slow ground and should be an improved sort this year. The most experienced runner of the field would be High Approval for the Wathnan Racing operation. Hamad Al Jehani's gelding showed initial promise with a pair of placings, but wasn't at his best on his next two starts. After a gelding operation, he finished a close up third at Wolverhampton last month but looks exposed at this level. Richard Spencer is one of the fastest rising stables in Newmarket and would have a runner here in the form of Kimbara. The son of Night Of Thunder comes from a top class family, but was never involved on his debut at Newcastle last month. Another Newmarket based runner would be James Tate's colt King's Cavalry. The son of Kingman made his debut over course and distance in November and plenty went wrong during the race so he did well to take sixth that day. Jane Chapple-Hyam is also capable of saddling winning newcomers and would be represented here by Makerstoun. The colt has a fair amount of stamina in his pedigree, so this distance could be the bare minimum for him. George Boughey is set for a big season this year and would hope to kick off Newmarket's season with a winner in the form of Powder Monkey. The No Nay Never colt has run twice this year on the all-weather, placing twice but brushed aside by some talented horses in the process. Roger Varian would be another leading stable from the area and he would be represented by Race To The Edge, who made his debut in this contest. The gelding is related to some very smart stayers down the line in his pedigree, but this would look a strong race to start out in. Another newcomer would be Charlie Hills's Santiago Bay. The son of Mayson has been gelded ahead of his racecourse debut, which would be a concern, but his is a half brother to a high class horse in Australia so he could be interesting here. A second runner for Brian Meehan would be Sponsor, who also made his debut just like Flor De Guerra. The newcomer is another son of Mehmas and the betting should provide clues ahead of his first day at school. Richard Hannon would also have strong claims with St Anton, who has already shown useful form. The colt took third on his debut at this course before taking second on his next two starts at Epsom and Salisbury. A third runner for the Richard Hannon stable would be Watercraft. The half brother to a couple of talented sorts, but didn't show much on track last season. He would need to find plenty of improvement over the winter to feature in this contest on his seasonal comeback. William Haggas has a good record in Newmarket novice contests and saddled the chestnut colt Weffaag. Despite coming from a talented family, he was sent off at a big price on debut here in October, but looked very green that day and needs to improve. Completing the line up would be Andrew Balding's Wield, who carried the silks of Juddmonte. The son of Showcasing blew out on his debut last season, but looked much better on his second start recently when third and is related to a number of classy winners.

Winner: 

Race Two: The Gabriel Rose London British EBF Novice Stakes - Class Four - 2-y-o Only - Five Furlongs - Runners:

Next up would be the turn of the juveniles with this novice race for two-year-olds over the flying five furlongs. Royal Ascot will undoubtedly be on the minds of the trainers involved and these precociously bred types are made for speed. Last year, the race would go the way of newcomer Harry's Girl, who got up in the closing stages for the Richard Hannon stable, but her life was cruelly cut short just a few months later.

The card would be lead by Hugo Palmer's colt Adaay Of Scarlet. The son of Mehmas is the first foal of a very smart racemare and his pedigree is very speedy which will suit this test. The dual license stable of Richard Newland and Jamie Insole has turned into a very shrewd operation of late and would be represented by Anna Belardo. The colt is bred for the task as a distant relative to a Super Sprint winner. Ralph Beckett's runner Dance A Jig brought experience to the table, but is also bred to be high class. The colt made his debut in the traditional season opening Brocklesby Stakes at Doncaster where he finished strongly into second. Jack Channon has made a strong start to this season and would be represented by the colt Innichen. He comes from a talented family and looked a shade unlucky on his recent debut at Bath. Amo Racing are a big spending outfit when it comes to the sales and they would take the wraps off Napa. The son of first season sire Naval Crown, he is a half brother to a listed placed horse so has a good standard to live up to. George Boughey has won this race in the past and this year he would be represented by Oxbridge. The Blue Point colt is another to be bred for speed and should know his job from the outset. James Owen has emerged as one of the best dual purpose trainers in the country and would look to add juvenile sprinters to his bow with Rocket Boots. The son of Too Darn Hot is bred to be smart over middle distances, so it would be an interesting start over this trip. Richard Hannon is often synonymous with two year old types and would give a debut to Shadow King. The son of Dark Angel carries the silks of the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid so he would be a poignant winner and is a relative to some talented handicappers. Harry Eustace hit the heights during 2025 and would look to continue his upward trajectory this year with Wilbur. The son of Kingman is the first foal of a talented race mare and the betting should provide clues for this racecourse debut. The line up would be completed by the sole filly in the field, Sea Of Sardinia. She would run for the emerging stable of Hayley Burton and has plenty of speed and class in her family.

Winner: 

Race Three: The Federation Of Bloodstock Agents EBF Conditions Stakes - Class Two - Seven Furlongs - Runners:

Race Four: The debenhams.co.uk Handicap - Class Four - Seven Furlongs - Runners:

Race Five: The Aston Martin Handicap - Class Three - Five Furlongs - Runners: 

Race Six: The Never Bet Ordinary At Bet365 Handicap - Class Four - One Mile - Runners: