2025 Craven Stakes Tips - Palmer's course winner the value bet at Newmarket

Jon Vine

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Last updated: 15 Apr 2025

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Jon Vine 15 Apr 2025

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Odds and betting predictions for the 2025 Craven Stakes
This Group Three takes place at Newmarket on Wednesday 16th April
The Waco Kid is our each-way selection at 28/1

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Oisin Murphy riding The Waco Kid win The Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket. (Getty)

Wednesday's card at Newmarket is headlined by the namesake race of this three-day meeting, the Craven Stakes. This Group Three has been won by plenty of future 2000 Guineas winners since its creation in 1771 and most of this year's entrants have been entered in that Classic.

Here's our free guide to the 2025 Craven Stakes and our best betting tips.

2025 Craven Stakes Odds

Name	Odds
Wimbledon Hawkeye	7/2
Aomori City	4/1
Field Of Gold	4/1
Opera Ballo	9/2
New Century	6/1
Matauri Bay	9/1
Bar	16/1

2025 Craven Stakes Runners

The favourite for Wednesday's feature is James Owen's Wimbledon Hawkeye, who won the Royal Lodge Stakes over this course-and-distance last season. Charlie Appleby, who has won this Group Three in three of the past six years, has handed entries to the unbeaten Opera Ballo and Vintage Stakes winner, Aomori City.

Field Of Gold won the Solario Stakes for John and Thady Gosden last season before a fourth-place finish in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Andrew Balding watched New Century claim Group One glory out in Canada last term, before a solid effort at the Breeders' Cup. Ralph Beckett's Matauri Bay wasn't beaten far behind Field Of Gold in the Solario and could renew rivalries with the market leader.

The Waco Kid boasts winning form on the Rowley Mile, having struck in the Tattersall Stakes in September. Karl Burke's two-time all-weather winner, The Watcher completes the entries and Benevento for Amo Racing rounds off the field.

2025 Craven Stakes Tips

A quality field will line up in Wednesday's feature. I've backed Field Of Gold for the 2000 Guineas, so I'm hoping to see a strong showing from the Gosden's grey on his seasonal reappearance.

The two Godolphin runners warrant plenty of respect, as does Royal Lodge winner Wimbledon Hawkeye. New Century is the only Group One winner in the field, and I'm eager to see the talented Matauri Bay make his reappearance.

At the prices, THE WACO KID (25/1) looks to be the value bet. Hugo Palmer's youngster ran out a commanding winner of the Tattersalls Stakes in September, but is languishing near the bottom of this betting heat after one poor run at the Breeders' Cup where he, like many European shippers, missed the break and failed to get involved.

Tom Marquand's mount went into the Tattersalls Stakes on the back of an encouraging third in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. Palmer's colt jumped into an early lead and was allowed to dictate the tempo along with stands' rail, but the way the leader asserted coming out of the dip was still impressive.

Runner-up Diego Ventura went close on his final juvenile start and fourth-placed Symbol Of Honour has won twice in Meydan since, so the form of the Tattersalls Stakes looks solid. Mehmas' progeny are capable of stretching out to a mile and The Waco Kid has valuable Rowley Mile form on his side.

Live Stream

Visit our Craven Stakes Live Stream page if you want to watch any race from Newmarket via a mobile or tablet.

Verdict

2025 Craven Stakes

The Waco Kid represents good each-way value in the 2025 Craven Stakes.

The Waco Kid E/W

2025 Craven Stakes

@28/1 - 5 Units

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