British Spot Plays: Craven meeting at Newmarket April 15

Newmarket's three-day Craven meeting this week features more trials for the 2000 Guineas (G1) and 1000 Guineas (G1), a couple of group features for older horses, and a stakes on Tuesday that might yield a potential prospect or two for the Derby (G1).

After one third-place finish from two plays at Newbury last Saturday, my English betting bankroll sits at $451 from an initial starting point of $500. I will be investing 5% of the outstanding balance to win on selected plays throughout the flat season, with the first play on Tuesday for $23.

Race 2: Feilden S., 9:25 a.m. ET

The Andrew Balding yard had a terrific Saturday at Newbury, reaching the winner's circle with Divina Grace ($31.20) in the John Porter (G3) and Jonquil ($18.60) in the Greenham (G3). I hope their hot streak can continue in this 1 1/8-mile test for three-year-olds with classic aspirations.

#1 Almeric (8-1) will get a class test here, but deserves his shot off two solid efforts last season. Seemingly learning a lot from his positive fourth on debut at Sandown, the Study of Man colt rose to the occasion second out at York, taking a relatively lucrative maiden by one length after a trouble-free stalking journey.

With some rain in the forecast on Tuesday, which might ease the ground a bit at Newmarket, Almeric's soft ground form at York might come in handy. The step up an extra furlong also figures to suit.

Race 4: Nell Gwyn (G3), 10:35 a.m. ET

#4 Celestial Orbit (12-1) will have to overcome a layoff dating back to late July, but proved rather precocious in three starts last summer. Although not in the frame in her debut over an all-weather surface, the No Nay Never filly bounced back with a solid maiden win over the turf at Haydock. She did it again in her season finale, registering a 9-1 upset of the Star S. at Sandown in fine style.

The form of the Star has worked out fairly well. Runner-up Anshoda scored in the Prestige (G3) at Goodwood in the mud while defeating Duty First, winner of last Saturday's Fred Darling (G3) at Newbury. The third-place finisher in the Star, Flaming Stone, won a stakes in her debut this season and was beaten less than a length in her next start in the Prix Vanteaux (G3).

A half-sister to the capable stayer Nayef, Celestial Orbit has the pedigree, distance experience, and upside to continue her forward progress this term.