Richard Hannon, trainer of leading 2000 Guineas hope ROSALLION, enhanced the stable’s claims as HAATEM won the Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

Vintage Stakes winner HAATEM was last seen finishing a well-held fifth of eight behind Guineas favourite CITY OF TROY in the Dewhurst Stakes but he wasted no time in getting back to winning ways under jockey Sean Levey on his return to the Rowley Mile course.

HAATEM was just kept up to his work to beat the Dewhurst third EBEN SHADDAD, who ended up three and a half lengths back in second, and there was another two and a quarter back to SONS AND LOVERS in third.

"He's quite a big chap but has such a good mind and didn't miss a dance last year," Levey told ITV Racing. "That was very professional and we were hoping for a performance like that. He works with decent horses at home but keeps a few cards under his sleeve. You've got to be impressed with that.”

Hannon added: "He's a good horse, and you have to be to win a Craven like that. I said to Sean [Levey] he'd get the trip very well. You can't say that was an average performance, as he looked pretty good there.”

Should HAATEM go on to win the 2000 Guineas he will be the first horse to do the double since HAAFHD in 2004.

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