Toormore fuels Guineas dream with Craven Stakes win at Newmarket

Europe's champion two-year-old Toormore proved he remains the consummate professional at three after getting his season off to a solid start in the Novae Bloodstock Insurance Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

The 2,000 Guineas dream is still alive for the Middleham Park Racing Syndicate, even if a two-length defeat of The Grey Gatsby was not quite a margin to have connections of the hot Classic favourite Kingman running for the hills.

With his close market rival Be Ready nursed back a bitterly disappointing last, Toormore (evens favourite) led for the majority of the mile event and Ryan Moore was always able to keep the small field at arm's length.

Although trainer Richard Hannon insisted no more could have been expected from the still unbeaten colt, bookmakers Coral actually pushed his Guineas odds out to 8-1 from fives, the odds he remains with Ladbrokes.

Hannon said: "He idled a bit and had a lot of daylight but every time Ryan gave him a kick he went on. He's not a flashy horse and he was never going to come here and win by six lengths even if he could. He is going to give the owners a lot of pleasure, has come here and won his trial and goes to the Guineas with a very good chance."

PA