Pimpernel puts down 2000 Guineas marker

JOHN DUNLOP has found the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas elusive over the years but the race moved a massive step closer as Elusive Pimpernel stamped his mark on the Racing Post breezeupbonus.com Craven Stakes at Newmarket yesterday.

The Arundel veteran has three 1000 Guineas wins to his name as well as two Derbys, two Oaks and a hat-trick of St Legers in a career stretching back to 1966.

But the first Classic of the season is within touching distance, with Elusive Pimpernel now quoted as the 5-1 second favourite by the sponsors behind 5-2 market leader St Nicholas Abbey.