Valleys set for Craven outing

Newmarket’s Bet365 Craven Stakes is starting to take shape with the news that the Roger Charlton-trained Three Valleys is a possible runner in the mile contest.

Thursday’s Group Three event is a recognised trial for the UltimateBet.com 2000 Guineas next month, for which Three Valleys is best priced 6-1.

The son of Diesis has the Greenham at Newbury as another possible prep-race, but Charlton told the Racing Post: “The Craven is the preferred option.

“I’ll make up my mind on Tuesday, but as long as the ground isn’t slow, he’s likely to run at Newmarket.

“Three Valleys has wintered well, although he will improve a lot for his first race of the season. After all, that is what these trials are for.”

Charlton’s charge made big waves last term when running out an eight-length winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot but was disqualified after landing the Middle Park Stakes after failing a post-race drugs test.

Two other possibles for the Craven are Barry Hills’ Haafhd and the John Dunlop-trained Mukafeh, who are both owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Haafhd rounded off his season by finishing just behind Milk It Mick and Three Valleys in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes while Mukafeh only raced twice and managed to score on his debut.

“Haafhd is more likely to run at Newmarket than in the Greenham,” Angus Gold, Hamdan Al Maktoum’s racing manager, told the Racing Post.

“Both colts have had good winters. Mukafeh’s target this week is more likely to be ground dependent. He likes it good or faster.”