See Andy Newton’s Newmarket horse racing tips on Thursday, plus key stats for each of the four LIVE ITV races at British flat racing’s HQ.
Quickfire Newmarket Horse Racing Tips: Thursday 16th April, 2026
As the three-day Craven Meeting heads into their final day, there are FOUR more LIVE races on the ITV4 Racing schedule to take in.
Including the Craven Stakes (3:35pm), which is a leading trial ahead of the 2000 Guineas.
- 1:50 Newmarket: TREANMOR
- 2:25 Newmarket: SANTUSHTI
- 3:00 Newmarket: WASHINGTON HEIGHTS (e/w)
- 3:35 Newmarket: HIDDEN FORCE
You can also see Andy Newton’s popular daily CHEAT SHEET that includes Lucky 15 tips, NAP, E/W picks, trainer stats and much more.
Newmarket Horse Racing Tips On Thursday: Hidden Force To Reveal Himself As Guineas Contender
1:50 Newmarket – Newmarket Handicap Cl2 (3yo 0-100) 6f ITV4
Trainer Charlie Appleby has a 26% SR with his 3yolds at Newmarket and runs two – Silent Applause and Treanmor.
With jockey bookings (William Buick) pointing towards CD winner TREANMOR.
This Frankel horse has been gelded over the winter after some fair runs (no wins) in Meydan.
But is back in trip today to 6f, which looks interesting with his sole career win over this trip – which also came here on the Rowley Mile.
Of the rest, Albaydaa was a nice winner at Wolves last time – this is a step up but has only had three runs.
While Ryan Moore catches the eye booked to ride Sayidah Hard Spun for Richard Hughes.
🥇TREANMOR
🥈ALBAYDAA
🥉SAYIDAH HARD SPUN
Key Stats 📈
- 4/9 – winning favourites
- 7/9 – stalls 2, 6 or 7
- Trainer Charlie Appleby has a 26% SR with his 3yolds at Newmarket
2:25 Newmarket – Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes (GBB Race) Cl2 (3yo) 1m ITV4
We are all flying blind here with none of these 3yolds having set foot on the track.
Therefore, it goes without saying, the betting will be worth a look in the build-up.
Regardless, we can expect the Godolphin horse – Crown Knott to be popular with the yard having a 26% SR at this venue with this age group.
Oh, and the yard have won this race twice since 2017.
The Gosden yard have two – the King’s Portcullis with Ryan Moore riding.
And the Oisin-Murphy-ridden SANTUSHTI, who is chanced with the stable also having a fair record in this race with two wins since 2021.
Of the rest, any market support for the Andrew Balding runner North Beach should be noted with Kingclere winning this pot 12 months ago.
🥇SANTUSHTI
🥈CROWN KNOTT
🥉NORTH BEACH
Key Stats 📈
- 2/5 – stall 4
- 2/8 – Charlie Appleby/William Buick
- 1/8 – winning favourite
3:00 Newmarket – Zyn Abernant Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 (3yo+) 6f ITV4
Run To Freedom was 4th in the race last year but is now 8 and not really fired since.
We can expect the speedy Quinault to make a bold bid from the front and is one of the few CD winners entered, plus is the top-rated in the field.
Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals brings G1-winning form to the table and should be very dangerous back into a G3 with Ryan Moore riding for the first time.
Aramram and Jasour were first and second in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster recently so will be fitter than most.
But the Kevin Ryan yard seem to like this race, with three wins since 2017 and also a second last season.
They run their 2024 winner WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, who spent last season running over 5f.
But is just as good over 6f, has a fair record when running in Group 3 and Listed races and has gone well fresh off a break too.
I’ll take Washington to hit the same heights as two years ago in this race.
🥇WASHINGTON HEIGHTS
🥈TIME FOR SANDALS
🥉JASOUR
Key Stats 📈
- 8/10 – stalls 4-8
- 10/10 – aged 4-7
- 3/9 – trained Kevin Ryan
3:35 Newmarket – Craven Stakes (Group 3) (Colts & Geldings) Cl1 (3yo) 1m ITV4
Charlie Appleby has won 3 of the last 7 Craven Stakes pots and could have another smart one on his hands with HIDDEN FORCE.
This Frankel colt heads here 2-2 after wins at Kempton and is running on the turf for the first time upped in grade.
Having also beaten Venetian Prince into second the last day too.
But has won his races with a bit up his sleeve and is quoted at 16/1 for the 2000 Guineas.
And with 6 of the last 7 Craven Stakes winners going into run second or third in the Guineas, this early season race has been a fair trial.
The last winner of both remains Haafhd in 2004 – but maybe Hidden Force can be the next.
Oxagaon Will Be Better On Today’s Ground
Oxagon represents last season’s winning yard (Gosden) and despite having 24 lengths to find with Hawk Mountain on his last run at Donny (Futurity Trophy). As the heavy ground would have been against him there.
Back on a sounder surface, last season’s Dewhurst 5th can seen seen in a much better light and sports the first-time cheekpieces too.
Hankelow (non-runner) and Avicenna are noted too, but the one that sets the benchmark for Hidden Force is 116-rated Hawk Mountain.
This Aidan O’Brien runner is 3 from 4 in his race and was last seen winning the G1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last October.
And before that took the G2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh – he’s 20/1, however, for the 2000 Guineas, which is a slightly bigger price than the pick.
Hawk Mountain will be trying to give Aidan O’Brien his first ever Craven Stakes winner.
But might have to wait as he could run into a ‘Hidden Force’ on Thursday.
🥇HIDDEN FORCE
🥈HAWK MOUNTAIN
🥉OXAGON
Key Stats 📈
- Aidan O’Brien has never won the Craven Stakes
- 3/7 – Charlie Appleby/William Buick
- 10/10 – priced 17/2 or shorter
