EMINENT CRAVEN SUCCESS

Eminent may be the lowest rated of the seven runners who go to post for the bet365 Craven Stakes, but he can emerge as a true Classic contender by winning the feature event on the final day of Newmarket’s Craven Meeting tomorrow.

The likes of War Decree and Rivet certainly have more clear-cut credentials in the always-informative mile heat, but Martyn Meade’s Eminent really caught the eye when winning a maiden at Headquarters last September.

As a son of Frankel from the family of Classic winner Yesterday, Eminent was never really going to be a zippy juvenile type, and Meade exercised patience before bringing this 150,000 guineas purchase to the track.

That decision paid dividends as Eminent posted a taking performance on his debut, showcasing a fine turn of pace to run out a stylish two-and-threequarter-length winner with four of those in behind subsequently getting on the scoresheet themselves.

Meade has made no secret of the regard in which he holds this colt and the old chestnut that he could be anything really does apply at this stage.

Eminent has been set a tough enough task on his return, but if he is to develop as connections hope, he can rise to the challenge and propel himself into the 2000 Guineas frame.

Ornate can come of age in the Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes.

The four-year-old is now with Robert Cowell after what must have been a bit of a frustrating time with William Haggas last year.