There was a time in the not-so-distant past when a three-and-a-half length success in the Craven Stakes over the same course and distance as the 2,000 Guineas in 16 days’ time would have fast-tracked the winner to the top of the Classic betting. Haatem, by contrast, can be backed at 20-1 for the Guineas on 4 May, despite powering well clear of his field in Newmarket’s traditional Classic trial on Thursday.
This was still a race that offered some clues ahead of the Classic meeting, however. The difference is that they were to be found in the unsaddling enclosure rather than out on the track.
