NATIVE Trail (118+) was a smooth winner of the Craven Stakes at Newmarket to justify his position at the top of the market for the Group 1 Qipco 2000 Guineas.

The champion two-year-old of last season oozed class as he posted his fastest timefigure to date which comprised an equally impressive closing sectional of 34.52secs.

That final split may have been faster had rider William Buick not delayed his challenge after emerging from cover passing the two-furlong marker and there are reasons to believe he might be sharper still come Guineas day.

The ominous sign for the colts who will oppose the son of Oasis Dream in a fortnight is how strong the Godolphin colt is through the final furlong of his races.

It will take an exceptional effort to match his finishing speed let alone lower his colours in the first classic of the season.

Bubble’s breakthrough

Double Or Bubble (109) also impressed on the clock in the Abernant Stakes as she gained a breakthrough success at Group 3 level. The five-year-old quickened to lead passing the furlong pole on her way to a closing sectional of 34.40secs.

Chris Wall’s mare looks primed for another good season when targeting races at this level between six and seven furlongs.

Godolphin swept the board in the novice stakes with New London (102+) clocking a time-figure of a colt who will have no problem stepping up in class. A glance at his closing sectional of 34.63secs backs up the visual impression that the Dubawi colt had finished strongly.

Roger Varian enjoyed a good Craven meeting and struck with the first of his three winners in the opening maiden on Wednesday when Ameynah (98+) justified favouritism. The daughter of Exceed And Excel was particularly strong through the final furlong as she posted a closing three-furlong sectional of 34.46secs.

Master Of The Seas settles like a dream

CHARLIE Appleby was in double form on the opening day of the meeting with both New Science and particularly Master Of The Seas impressing on the clock.

I was least impressed with Cachet’s Nell Gwyn victory looking towards the Group 1 Qipco 1000 Guineas.

Master Of The Seas (118+) looked a different model on his first start of this season. Settling like a dream in behind the strong pace set by Megallan (116), he breezed to the front for little or no pressure from William Buick.

The son of Dubawi most notably improved on the rating he achieved when second in the 2000 Guineas last season and his closing sectional of 34.83secs was achieved comfortably so it is possible he can progress further now he has been gelded and seems to be settling a little better.

Charlie Appleby reported the four-year-old’s early season target will be the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Power-packed Science

Stablemate New Science (111) produced an equally power-packed finish in the Free Handicap as he covered the final three furlongs in 34.98secs. The overall race time was slower than the fillies in the Nell Gwyn but as Cachet (105) only clocked 36.11 for her concluding split, I would suggest the sectional upgrade makes the Free Handicap the better race.

Maya excels

Gale Force Maya (105) excels over six furlongs on the Rowley Mile and improved her form figures over course and distance to 23121 with victory in the 0-100 handicap. Connor Beasley did well to gain a good position aboard Michael Dods’ mare and, in the circumstances, the six-year-old clocked a respectable closing sectional of 35.18secs.

Given the first two home raced prominently throughout, the efforts of Raatea (98+), Dancinginthewoods (97+) and Strike Red (95+) can be upgraded as they raced in rear before making their challenges.

The latter, in particular, looked well in the paddock ahead of his seasonal bow.

Raatea and Dancinginthewoods both angled off the rail to gain a run, possibly challenging wider than ideal. Albeit they still came home strongly to post 34.56secs and 34.25secs respectively for their closing sectionals.

Eyecatching Red

However, the biggest eye-catcher of the three was Strike Red, who, in the hands of Paddy Mathers, chose to wait for a run up the rail.

Richard Fahey’s gelding was inconvenienced during his run but still posted 34.26secs for the final three furlongs.

TWILIGHT Calls (105) posted the fastest time of the concluding day of the three-day meeting when winning the closing five-furlong sprint. The four-year-old recorded a time-figure on a par with the number he achieved when successful at the July meeting last year and he has gone well fresh in the past.

Having been gelded over the winter, he may add consistency to his game and, if so, he is a pattern class performer in the making as his closing sectional of 33.28secs illustrates.

Look Out Louis (103) did everything required of him to win the race only to bump into a smart rival on the day. The son of Harbour Watch can gain compensation in the near future if repeating this performance. The six-year-old has won at Newcastle and Chester for his current trainer, Julie Camacho.

Varian double

Roger Varian completed a double when Eydon (106+) shed his maiden tag in the Feilden Stakes. Making his turf debut, the son of Olden Times produced a smart turn of foot to cover the ground from the three-furlong marker in 34.01secs as he won going away in the hands of David Egan.

Roger Varian was not keen to commit to his colt’s next target, but his entry in the Dante Stakes and the Derby seem to point to a future over middle distances.

The Varian double was initiated by Tajalla (96+) who looks a very speedy two-year-old. Andrea Atzeni only had to push out the Kessaar colt with hands and heels to clock a rapid 33.19secs for the concluding sectional.

The overall race time was slower than would normally be attractive but, given it took the Italian jockey an eternity to pull his mount up after the line, I would have no doubt the youngster can produce this running off a stronger gallop.