Strong cast of Craven contenders suggests the winner of this Guineas trial will have really achieved something

The reductive way to look at the recent history of the bet365 Craven Stakes is to scan the list of winners and think, 'Gosh, it's a long time since this alleged 2,000 Guineas trial actually identified the Guineas winner.' For those who are keeping score, no-one has achieved the double since Haafhd 21 years ago.

Back in the late 1980s, starting off in the Craven was unquestionably the right thing to do with your Guineas contender. Shadeed, Dancing Brave, Doyoun and Tirol all proved that in the space of six years. But, as Sam Goldwyn would say, we've all passed a lot of water since then. Potential stars can be sharpened to a fine point at home, or in Dubai or Ireland or on the all-weather. 

Even so, the Craven has been showing its value. Five of the last six winners went on to be either second or third in the Guineas. The ultimately gelded Master Of The Seas got heartbreakingly close to Classic glory, going down to Poetic Flare by mere inches in 2021.