Haatem set to join stable star Rosallion in the 2000 Guineas next month after dominant victory in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket

Richard Hannon unleashed the devastating winner of the most important 2000 Guineas trial on Thursday – but it was a horse at home who had him purring.

Haatem, trained by Hannon, pulverised his rivals in the bet365 Craven Stakes, winning the race over the course-and-distance of next month’s opening classic by four lengths. Without hesitation, his trainer insisted he will be back here on May 4 to tackle potential superstar City Of Troy.

Plenty regard City Of Troy as being unbeatable but Hannon is not in that camp and that is because he will also saddle Rosallion in the 2000 Guineas. 

With all respect to Haatem, he is not in the same class as his stablemate, who was one of last season’s outstanding juveniles.

Rosallion is regarded by Hannon as potentially the best he has ever trained; the colt won a Group One race in France last October and his handler is in no doubt he has the raw ability and pace to serve it up to City Of Troy.

‘I make no secret about how good I think Rosallion is,’ said Hannon. ‘I didn’t want to run him in a trial this spring because they are all very close, in terms of days, to the Guineas and I didn’t want to him to have a hard race. He’s galloped on the all-weather twice at Kempton and is fit.

‘The dream is still alive with him, very much so. As for Haatem, he will be a force wherever he goes from here. It’s nice to have two very good milers and two very good chances going into the Guineas. I love Rosallion but Haatem has done it on the racecourse – and this is where it matters.’

Hannon added: ‘I wish the Guineas was tomorrow, to be honest. City Of Troy deserves to be favourite, but this guy won a Group 1 in a record time from an outside draw. It’s going to be very interesting. I couldn’t be happier with my horse, he has done very well physically over the winter.’