Delegator impresses in Craven Stakes

Delegator is the new favourite for the 2000 Guineas following an impressive victory in the banshahousestables.com Craven Stakes at Newmarket this afternoon.

The Brian Meehan-trained colt went off the 4/6 favourite on his first run since finishing fifth in the Dewhurst last season, and the son of Dansili was settled last of the seven runners by Jamie Spencer.

Once angled out to challenge, the response was immediate and he picked up strongly from over a furlong out to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Sans Frontieres.

'We didn't really learn a whole lot from that as he has always been an amazing horse. I was shell-shocked when he got beat in the Dewhurst as I thought nothing could beat him but inexperience caught him out,' said Spencer.

'I was very pleased with the way he handled the dip and he's handled the fast ground. Ideally a good racing surface would be perfect for him. When he hits the front he pulls himself up but if he had another horse to chase he would have scooted clear of those.'

'It's a dress rehearsal for back here in two weeks and today is not what mattered. Two weeks' time is what matters.'

Meehan added, 'I'm really pleased with him, and he has done exactly what we expected of him. He was possibly in front a little too early but I wanted Jamie to fire him down the hill to get some experience into him.'

'He was fresh in the paddock, and Jamie said he enjoyed himself on the way to post. My only concern was that it was his first run of the season and we haven't had many runners from the stable to test our fitness levels. But even so, I was pretty confident.'

San Frontieres' trainer Jeremy Noseda said, 'For an inexperienced horse that was a good, solid, second start of his life.'

'We may move up a little in trip to a mile and a quarter but we will look at all options. It's doubtful that he would go for the Guineas, but he has come on and we'll take him home and go from there.'

Richard Hannon saddled the third home Pure Poetry and said, 'Things could have gone a little bit better - he had to race out on his own. But he has run very well and we will give him a little break as there is nothing in the next two or three weeks for him.'

Delegator was the subject of a huge ante-post gamble for the stanjames.com-sponsored Guineas on May 2 following reports of an impressive workout this time last week and his price has been slashed again.

Coral reacted quickly and make the son of Dansili their 4/1 joint-favourite alongside Mastercraftsman. Victor Chandler were more impressed and go 7/2 clear favourite (from 7s).

Boylesports are the same price from 8s while Ladbrokes initially went a top-priced 6/1 but were forced to cut him to 5/1 following more support.

Sky Bet were more impressed and make Delegator their 3/1 Guineas favourite. Mastercraftsman has been pushed out to 5s (from 9/2).

Spokesman Matt Doyle said, 'In recent years the fashion is for Guineas winners to head straight to Newmarket without a prep, but the trend could well be reversed this year.'

'Although its questionable what he actually beat, Delegator showed smart acceleration to go from last to first and merits his promotion to head of our 2,000 Guineas market.'