Excitement is in the air as the 2012 Flat turf season enters full swing on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket this week with the two-day Craven Meeting
Final declarations have been made for the eight-race card on Wednesday, April 18, when there could be some clues for next month's Newmarket Classic, the QIPCO 1000 Guineas, in the £55,000 Group Three Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes (4.10pm).
Peter Chapple-Hyam is looking forward to saddling Group One Jaguar Cars Cheveley Park Stakes runner-up Sunday Times in the seven-furlong contest. The Newmarket handler won the Nell Gwyn Stakes in 1995 with Myself.
Chapple-Hyam said today: “Sunday Times is in good form. Like most of mine, she will need her first run but I am very happy with her. She has got stronger over the winter and she has started to come in her coat so is nearly there.
“I wasn't surprised by her performance in the Cheveley Park Stakes to be honest because I thought she would win the Lowther Stakes at York, but the ground is the key to her - we don't want too much rain. She did get the trip in the Rockfel Stakes, but she was probably a bit over the top so it was my fault.
“Seven furlongs will probably be ideal for her. She might hopefully get a mile but we will find that out on Wednesday. She would have to run well for us to consider the QIPCO 1000 Guineas.”
A total of 13 fillies go to post in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes, headed by the Mick Channon-trained Nayarra, successful on her final appearance of 2011 in the Group One Premio Gran Criterium at San Siro in Italy. Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni is doubly represented with Minidress, fourth in the Group Three Sakhee Oh So Sharp Stakes over the course and distance in September, and Pimpernel, who was twice successful at Newmarket last season. Group Three winner Regal Realm represents Jeremy Noseda, while Starscope (John Gosden) and Russelliana (Sir Michael Stoute) both look exciting types.
Chapple-Hyam will be represented by Telwaar in the £33,000 Listed Bet At bluesquare.com European Free Handicap (3.35pm), also over seven furlongs, which has seven runners. The three-year-old son of Haafhd was last seen at Newbury in August, when second to Fencing in the Listed Denford Stud Stakes, and the winner went on to perform creditably in Group One company.
Chapple-Hyam added: “Telwaar is in great form and he is another who wouldn't want too much rain. Seven furlongs could be his perfect trip although I hope not as there are more options if he gets further, but it's a finding out mission on Wednesday.
“I have always thought a lot of him. He is a nice horse and he tries hard which is all that matters. Hopefully, he could be Jersey Stakes horse in the future - that is the main plan.”
Wednesday's Newmarket card also features the £150,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Sprint (3.00pm, 15 runners) over six furlongs and the nine-furlong £33,000 Listed Blue Square Feilden Stakes (4.45pm, 7 runners).
