Newmarket Craven Meeting day 1 (Tuesday 14th April 2026)

Newmarket’s Craven Meeting 2026 gets underway on Tuesday and it’s always a key early-season fixture on the Flat calendar.

With the Rowley Mile taking centre stage, this three-day meeting often provides vital clues for the upcoming Classics and it’s a great opportunity to spot some of the horses to follow for the rest of the season.

Day 1 features some competitive racing with a mix of maidens, novice events and handicaps that can often throw up future winners. It’s also a day where plenty of horses are making their seasonal reappearance, so fitness levels and market support can be key indicators.

The Alex Scott Maiden Stakes and the 3YO Conditions race in particular should be worth keeping a close eye on, while the handicaps later on the card usually provide some solid betting angles. Here are my Newmarket Craven Meeting day 1 tips and best bets.

Newmarket Craven Meeting day 1 (Tuesday) tips

• 1.15 Cerro Blanco – 15/8 with bet365
• 1.50 Shadow King – 2/1 with bet365
• 2.25 Talk Of New York – 4/6 NAP with Betfred
• 3.00 Hardy’s Hero – 10/1 each way with bet365
• 3.35 Rosario – 3/1 with Midnite
• 4.10 Blue Courvoisier – 7/1 each way with bet365
• 4.45 Mister Winston – 9/2 each way with BoyleSports

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for Newmarket’s Craven Meeting day 1 (Tuesday 14th April 2026)

Find my top tips for Tuesday 14th April 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

Newmarket 1.15 Alex Scott Maiden Stakes (Colts & Geldings) (Class 4) 7f

A fascinating opener and trainer Charlie Appleby has won this a couple of times in the past including last year with Indian Springs. He saddles CERRO BLANCO who is yet to see a racecourse but he certainly looks the part on paper. He is by Wootton Bassett and is a half-brother to Secret Force. There is a chance he is forward enough to win this first time out and I’m expecting him to be strong in the betting.

Andrew Balding is another trainer that has done well in this in the past winning it with Carolus Magnus back in 2021 and Wield should run well and could be the danger. He has experience on side and should come on for that reappearance run at Chelmsford. Of the rest Makerstoun cost €500,000 and with Rossa Ryan booked could go well on debut for Jane Chapple-Hyam.

Bet on CERRO BLANCO to win at 15/8 with bet365

Newmarket 1.50 Gabriela Rose London British EBF Novice Stakes (Class 4) 5f

It is somewhat of a surprise that Charlie Appleby doesn’t have a runner in this as he has dominated it down the years and won it 12 months ago with Military Code.

There are only five horses heading to post so a bit disappointing. Adaay Of Scarlett looks bred to be fast for Hugo Palmer and will likely prove popular but I prefer Dark Angel colt SHADOW KING who is a half-brother to Involvement.

I know he will likely be better over further but it is interesting they are starting him here and he may well prove good enough.

Innichen is the only horse in the field with experience having finished midfield on debut at Bath and while he needs to improve a fair bit on that he shouldn’t be underestimated.

Rocket Boots is well bred being by Too Darn Hot and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the betting. Anna Belardo was a cheap purchase and is likely up against it first time out.

Bet on SHADOW KING to win at 2/1 with bet365

Newmarket 2.25 Federation Of Bloodstock Agents EBF Conditions Stakes (Class 2) 7f

Surprisingly Charlie Appleby has only won this once and that was back in 2023 with Majestic Pride. The race very much revolves around TALK OF NEW YORK though who I expect will be a warm order come post time.

He was an impressive winner on debut at Kempton on sole start as a 2yo and then ran a big race to go down just a length in the 2000 Guineas at Meydan. Plenty went wrong that day and he was fierce keen throughout. The hood should help and back in trip here he is still armed with a great deal of potential and should win.

New Bay colt Richie’s Rocket caught the eye on debut and then won as expected at Lingfield. He was a beaten favourite on return but had an awkward start and ran on well once the race was over. He should strip fitter again and still has a bright enough future.

Maximized ran well both starts in Dubai and is another one who can still do better so I expect him to get competitive as well but he does look the second string. 

Bet on TALK OF NEW YORK to win at 4/6 with Betfred

Newmarket 3.00 AR Legal Collections Handicap (Class 4) 7f

The first handicap on the card and it looks a cracker! Thirteen head to post and I have to admit it was hard narrowing the shortlist. William Haggas is on a hat-trick in the race though and I’m happy to side with HARDY’S HERO.

This horse is near the top of the weights but with good reason. He got off the mark impressively at Haydock and then showed a good attitude to follow up at Carlisle which isn’t always an easy track.

I know he was beaten on handicap debut at Newbury but he was given too much to do on that occasion. He has more to come over 7f on return down 2lb and should run well at a nice price.

Cashbox appreciated the step up to this trip to follow up at this track when last seen and brings a fair bit of potential to the table. He is 4lb higher but the yard have had a winner recently and I can see him running well off what still looks to be a fair mark.

Sierra Sands is unexposed now handicapping and with Ryan Moore booked is another one I expect to get involved.

Bet on HARDY’S HERO each way at 10/1 with bet365

Newmarket 3.35 Racing TV Handicap (Class 3) 5f

I think as long as this doesn’t turn tactical which it shouldn’t then ROSARIO will have an outstanding chance. He looks off a competitive mark and was flying home beaten just a length when last seen at Southwell. This switch back to the turf on reappearance with the ground ideal he has plenty going for him under Tom Marquand. It’s competitive but you can see why he is favourite.

Regal Envoy will look to blast off the front but saying that he got a lead last year and still came out on top. He is definitely the danger especially if there are any fitness concerns with his rivals. Dyonisos has been given a chance by the handicapper and with William Buick up has to be feared. We Never Stop didn’t run badly behind Fast Track Harry on the AW and is another one to note.

Bet on ROSARIO to win at 3/1 with Midnite

Newmarket 4.10 National Stud Handicap (Class 4) 1m

This looks the toughest race on the card but I do fancy BLUE COURVOISIER to run a big race for Clive Cox. This colt by Sea The Stars made a promising start winning on debut at Leicester as a 2yo.

He then bumped into Item next time out who is a smart unbeaten colt for Andrew Balding. This is just his second start over a mile and there will be a lot more to come now handicapping. An opening mark of 82 likely underestimates him and the yard usually have them forward enough so I think he’ll go close under Rossa Ryan.

Hugo Palmer is on a hat-trick in the race having won it two years ago with Watcha Matey and last year with King Casper. He has We’re Goosers who was heavily punted to win at Newcastle and is another one who could take his form up a few notches now handicapping.

Tiger Power has won 2 from 3 and looked good at Southwell so if transferring that form back on turf will also be a big player. This is very much one of those races where it will be worth having Notebooks at the ready.

Bet on BLUE COURVOISIER each way at 7/1 with bet365

Newmarket 4.45 Exning Handicap (Class 2) 1m

A tricky finale to close out but now MISTER WINSTON has been gelded he could be capable of better. He was down the field in the Cambridgeshire when last seen but had been progressive enough prior to that winning at Chester and here and down 2lb with Oisin Murphy booked on return he could go close.

The yard have made a fast start to the Flat season too which is encouraging. He looks the obvious pace on paper and if he gets dictating watch his in-running price tumble.

Great Chieftain is down 4lb so is now off his last winning mark and will be dangerous if things pan out favourably. Real Gain has more duck eggs than form to his name recently but if bouncing back is another one handicapped to have a say just 1lb above his last winning mark.

Mythical Guest completes the shortlist as he has won fresh before so the lack of a run isn’t too concerning.

Bet on MISTER WINSTON each way at 9/2 with BoyleSports

My top tip for Newmarket’s Craven Meeting day 1 on Tuesday

It is hard to get away from TALK OF NEW YORK and if he settles in the hood should resume his progress and get back to winning ways. He is a short enough price so I’ve doubled up with ROSARIO who will relish the strong pace and should be finishing strongly under Tom Marquand who is more than likely going to have him well positioned.

Bet a Win Double on TALK OF NEW YORK and ROSARIO at 11/2 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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