Century can boost tally for Balding

WITH Andrew Balding’s string in fine form, New Century gets the nod in the bet365 Craven Stakes at Newmarket today.

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The Kingsclere handler landed Saturday's Greenham Stakes at Newbury with Jonquil and will seek to strengthen his 2000 Guineas hand with this battle-hardened son of Kameko.

New Century struck three times from six starts as a juvenile, including a Grade One victory over Al Qudra at Woodbine in Canada, and finished off his two-year-old campaign with a creditable fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

The reopposing Aomori City may have dashed past late on to secure third spot at Del Mar but Oisin Murphy just encountered a bit of trouble in running at a crucial point between the final two furlongs on New Century, so it would be no surprise to see the tables turned.

Romantic Style is rated a rocksolid selection for the Blandford Bloodstock Abernant Stakes following a successful stint in Dubai.